Summary

Edith, Mrs. Skewton, and Florence are all getting ready together at the beginning of Chapter 37 when Edith receives a note from Carker, asking to see her. She refuses but he insists. Edith is deeply uncomfortable around Carker, feeling like he sees all of her dark and shameful secrets. Carker tells her that he is concerned about Florence, acknowledging that she was neglected by her father, and has sought out undesirable acquaintances like Walter, Sol, and Captain Cuttle. He tells Edith that he fears that Florence’s relationship with her father would suffer if he ever found out. Carker then asks if he can trust her to deal with this problem and Edith accepts.

That night, Mrs. Skewton does not come down for dinner and Edith discovers that she has been struck ill. She is paralyzed and seems to have had a stroke. Mrs...