Dickens soon finds himself enjoying his solitude and prepares to write his book in peace. However, when a storm starts brewing, he finds himself tired and unmotivated to write. He also begins to miss both his children and Catherine, regretting that his foolishness and weakness have driven them away. He hates having no inspiration for his writing, and after hearing a noise outside, he decides to venture out into London to find new inspiration. Although he is unsuccessful, he still continues to explore, ultimately getting lost and overwhelmed until he makes a conscious effort to regain his composure and resume his walk.

As Dickens walks through London, he passes familiar spaces, including a restaurant where he and Forster used to dine. Eventually, he reaches the Folly, the theater in which his actor friend Macready is currently performing as Hamlet. As he walks toward the theater, the clock tower chimes 12 times. The chimes comfort and hypnotize him, and he forgets why he is there. After the 12th chime, he regains his awareness of the world and tries to find Macready, only to see a mysterious woman with a purple cloak. He nearly collides with her and apologizes, saying that the clock reminds him of the time he has lost.