Despite Eliza and Josiah's anxieties that she might not, Clorinda returns from visiting her late husband's property in Naples. She remains the Ferrabys' beloved third: but now she is out of mourning, as Dowager Lady Bexbury is moving much more widely in Society. The Ferrabys themselves find that their own circles continue to widen, while a new challenge appears on the horizon: with the business doing so well, and civic improvements being more generally taken up, Josiah Ferraby is giving serious consideration to suggestions that he should stand for Parliament. Eliza finds this prospect daunting, especially as it would involve a move to London. But their contriving darling Clorinda has the matter in hand...