Chapter 12 Summary

The chapter begins with Michael returning to his home and offices to find Farfrae still hard at work with the account books. He watches for a little while and again admires the young Scotsman's skills. He then stops Farfrae and invites him to his home (which is next door to the office) for supper. He tells Farfrae about Susan and Elizabeth-Jane, and asks for his advice on what he should tell Elizabeth-Jane. Farfrae advises him to tell her the truth.

Michael also tells Farfrae about an affair he has been having with a woman from Jersey. He explains that this happened because he feels terribly lonely; when the affair became public, the woman was persecuted by her neighbors. He has offered to marry the woman, but now finds that he cannot because of Susan's return. He asks Farfrae to write a letter to...