Kitty tells Walter that she will be joining him on his expedition. He seems to already know that she will be coming, as he has told her amah to pack for her.

Kitty and Walter are borne in chairs on their journey to Meitan-fu, and a line of porters carry their things. Alone on her chair, Kitty ruminates about Townsend’s callous treatment of her and reflects that had he seen the true state of her helplessness, he might not have “left her to her fate” (101). She feels that she is “finished with life” at the age of 27 (101).

As they continue their journey, Kitty wonders whether Walter has ceased loving her. While she tells herself that it is impossible for love simply to evaporate and that he would not wish her dead, she catches a glimpse of “physical distaste” in his expression when he looks at her (103).