Chapter 4, Miss Marchmont Summary

A few months after Paulina leaves the Brettons' home, Lucy leaves as well, to return to her family. Although Lucy does not tell the reader what happens to her family, she describes the next few years as a passage on the barge, sometimes a calm passage and sometimes a storm-tossed passage. While the reader does not know what exactly happens, Lucy reveals that she is left alone in the world. She dresses in mourning, and the years separate her from the Brettons, who have moved to London due to a change in their fortunes.

In a lonely state, Lucy is approached by Miss Marchmont. She has never met Miss Marchmont, an elderly lady who has been ill and invalid for many years, but Miss Marchmont has heard of her troubles and invites her to come work for her as...