Part 4, Chapter 4 Summary

Leonora Ashburnham enters Nancy Rufford's bedroom to insist that Nancy assume the role of Edward Ashburnham's lover. Nancy refuses. Edward enters the room and gives her orders of his own, which she does not refuse. Rather than allowing Nancy to go to Glasgow to see to her mother, Edward tells her she must go to her father in India. Edward leaves the room and places a phone call Edward White in Glasgow. Nancy basks in Edward's attention and imagines that she and Edward are already lovers. She tells Leonora that she will go to India, and then they fall sobbing into each other's arms to comfort each other. Edward hears them up all night, talking in Nancy's bed.

The next morning, the family interacts as if nothing has happened. Edward tells Nancy that John Dowell is coming to visit until Nancy...