On the day of the election, Francis is arrested in public on charges of murder. Many people are very shocked; when Afy hears what has happened, she faints.

Afy recovers and goes immediately to a local shop owned by a man named Mr. Jiffin. Afy has flirted with him before and knows that Jiffin is infatuated with her; she contemplates the security that marrying him would bring her. Afy receives word that she is summoned to testify in the court case against Levinson and becomes very agitated. She tries to flee West Lynne but is intercepted and forced to go to testify. Meanwhile, since the arrest has required Francis to withdraw from the election, Archibald has been confirmed as the new member of Parliament.

The hearing begins. The first witness confirms that in the time period leading up to the murder, Francis regularly came to West Lynne and visited Afy in her cottage. During this period, Francis went by the name Thorn; he regularly encountered Richard (who was also frequently visiting Afy) and two local men (Bethel and Locksley) who were often in the area.

Afy is then called to testify. She explains that she met a man who gave his name as Thorn by chance and that he regularly visited her.