Mr Spenlow has uncovered David’s
affair with Dora through Miss Murdstone’s spying. He forbids David to continue
seeing his daughter and threatens to write her off his will and send her
abroad. Nevertheless, David answers that he cannot comply with Mr Spenlow’s
orders because he loves Dora and has pledged his love to her.
The following morning, David learns that Mr. Spenlow has died in a carriage accident. It is discovered that Mr Spenlow had in fact written no will and that he had very little left to bequeath his daughter. Dora is upset and refuses to see David.
David goes to Dover to check on Miss
Betsey’s cottage.
He then goes to
Canterbury to visit Agnes and Mr. Wickfield. At Mr. Wickfield’s, David finds
that Uriah Heep and his mother have taken control. Mr. Micawber has become a
tenant at Mr. Wickfield’s house. David senses that Mr. Micawber has become
Uriah’s tool.
Mrs. Heep keeps strict watch on Agnes by never letting her be alone. Uriah admits to David that he wanted to prevent David from getting ahead of him with Agnes. David swears to him that he is already engaged to someone else.
Later, when Uriah, Mr. Wickfield, and David are alone together, Uriah gets Mr. Wickfield drunk, toasts Agnes, and announces his intention to marry her. Mr. Wickfield becomes hysterical at this suggestion and tells David how much control Uriah has managed to establish over him. Uriah threateningly warns Mr. Wickfield to keep quiet and not insult him.
David writes to Dora’s aunts for permission to visit them as a way to get close to Dora again.
Late one night, he runs into Mr. Peggotty, who says that he has been looking for Little Em’ly on the continent. Mr. Peggotty has come close to finding her a few times.
Little Em’ly has sent three letters containing money to the Peggottys. Mrs. Gummidge has replied to one of the letters under Ham’s dictation, telling Little Em’ly that her uncle misses her terribly and will forgive her if she comes back.
While Mr. Peggotty tells David this story, David sees Martha listening at the inn door. Martha disappears, and Mr. Peggotty goes off to a cheap inn where he can stay for the night before he sets off again on his journey.