Dorothea wants to ask Lydgate about Casaubon's health. When she visits, Lydgate is "not at home" (612). His wife Rosamond is receiving a guest: Will, who has recently moved to the area and has befriended the doctor and his new wife. Dorothea is uneasy but seeing Will is an "unmistakable pleasure" (614). Dorothea leaves quickly to find Lydgate at the hospital. She does not want to displease Casaubon by meeting with Will and she wonders whether a married woman like Rosamond should really be alone with a young man. The thought makes her reflect upon her own private meetings with Will in similar "circumstances" (616). Will is both "mortified" (616) and upset that he did not get to spend time with her. When Lydgate returns home that evening, Rosamond mentions to her husband that Will "adores" (619) Dorothea.

Dorothea finds Lydgate at the hospital. He tells her that her husband wished to know more about his health, mentioning that there are "no signs of change" (622) to his condition. Lydgate takes the opportunity to champion the hospital as a charitable venture, hoping that the wealthy Casaubons may make a donation.