When Agnes returns from her holiday, Rosalie is eager to tell her about her ball, while Matilda wants to describe her new horse. Rosalie describes her many suitors, including Sir Thomas Ashby, Henry Meltham, Mr. Green, and Mr. Hatfield, the vicar. She informs Agnes that there is a new curate, Mr. Weston. Rosalie supposes that if she has to choose anyone to marry, it would be Sir Thomas. She thinks he’s ugly and wicked, but it would please her to be Lady Ashby. Above all, she wants to enjoy herself for a while. Agnes does not approve of such coquetry.

After church on Sunday, Rosalie demands to know what Agnes thinks of Mr. Weston, the curate. Rosalie thinks he is stupid and plodding, but Agnes likes how he performed the readings and prayers with care. She finds the vicar, Mr. Hatfield, obvious in his attentions to the squire’s family, so eager to help Rosalie into the carriage that he nearly shuts Agnes out of it. Agnes continues to enjoy hearing Mr. Weston preach and prefers his sermons to those of Mr. Hatfield, whose are “sunless and severe, representing the Deity as a terrible taskmaster rather than a benevolent father” (65). After attending church for a second time that day, because Rosalie wants to be seen by her suitors, Rosalie and Matilda discuss Henry Meltham. Matilda says that he would be a good companion for herself since her only requirements are that her husband like horses and dogs. Rosalie reproves Matilda for her rough manner and using coarse language, of which Agnes has not yet managed to cure her.

Since Rosalie is busy with calls and entertainment, Agnes has only Matilda left as her pupil. This leaves her with more leisure time, which she uses to write letters, read, practice music, or take walks. The sisters sometimes visit the cottagers on their father’s estate, though Agnes thinks they do so mostly to amuse themselves, and she has tried to correct the girls’ condescending manner toward those of lower class. Agnes has gotten to know some of the cottagers, including Nancy Brown, a widow whose company Agnes enjoys because she is “of a serious, thoughtful turn of mind” (68-69).

One pleasant day in February, Agnes visits Nancy, who describes a recent episode of spiritual turmoil. She tells Agnes how, when Mr. Hatfield called on her, he was not able to set her mind at ease. Rather, he suggested she should pay more attention in church, and he pushed her cat off his knee as they spoke. But when Nancy spoke with Mr. Weston, he listened earnestly, petting her cat as it sat upon his lap. He shared with her his beliefs that God is love, and one should try to love God’s creatures, even when they are vexing, and try to be of service to others. Nancy says that Mr. Weston comes to see her often and reads to her when her eyes are troubled. Nancy says that following his advice and helping her neighbors has helped ease her spirit.

Agnes is happy to hear this story, but it reminds her that she feels very lonely. She does not have “one creature to whom [she] could open [her] heart, or freely speak [her] thoughts with any hope of sympathy, or even comprehension” (77). Reflecting that people are drawn to think and speak like those they habitually associate with, she worries that as her only companions had been unruly children, she will sink to their level. She muses that she might be elevated if she contemplates the goodness of Mr. Weston, and she takes deeper delight in his sermons now that she is more acquainted with his excellent qualities.

Agnes does not get away from the house as much as she would like, as she is expected to be available whenever her charges want her. But one day in March, as Matilda is out on a ride and Rosalie dressing for a dinner party, Agnes goes to visit Nancy. She is sewing a shirt for her son and frets that her cat is missing, and as Agnes keeps her company, Mr. Weston enters holding the cat, whom he saved from the gamekeeper. Agnes is surprised when he acknowledges her with a bow. A sudden rain shower keeps Mr. Weston inside for a while, and Agnes sews while Nancy and Mr. Weston visit. Mr. Weston observes that Agnes has been reading to Nancy. When Agnes returns to the lodge, she finds Matilda is angry because she had to take her tea alone. Agnes congratulates herself on handling Matilda’s insults well and finds herself in an amiable mood because she was able to do some good for Nancy.