Agnes sends for David, and he goes
to visit her where she is staying in London. She warns him that Steerforth is
his “bad Angel,” that he should avoid Steerforth and be cautious of
Steerforth’s influence.
Agnes also delivers the bad news
that Uriah Heep has insinuated himself into a partnership with her father, Mr.
Wickfield.
David goes to a dinner party at the
home where Agnes is staying.
There, two characters reappear: Tommy Traddles and Uriah Heep.
Uriah attaches himself to David and
accompanies him home. In an unpleasant conversation, Uriah reveals to David his
intention to marry Agnes. Uriah insists on sleeping the night on the floor in
front of David’s fire.
Mr. Spenlow invites David to his home for the weekend. There, David meets Dora, Mr. Spenlow’s daughter, and falls in love with her. Another character reappears: Miss Murdstone, whom Mr. Spenlow has retained as a companion for his daughter ever since her mother died.
David visits Tommy Traddles who
lives in the same building as the Micawbers.
He is studying for the bar.
He is engaged to a clergyman’s
daughter but has no hope of marrying her any time soon because he is not rich
enough. As for her, the reader understands she has next to no dowry because she
has nine sisters.
Mr. Micawber, meanwhile, is in dire
financial trouble again, although he still hopes to find work soon. Mrs.
Micawber is pregnant again.