David and Steerforth leave Yarmouth, and their departure is lamented by all who’ve gotten to know them.
Presently, Steerforth, who has been unusually melancholy, inquires David about the contents of the letter he has received from his great-aunt. When told that it involves David’s future employment prospects and what David’s great-aunt has in mind for David, Steerforth enlightens David what it’s like to be a proctor. Indeed, Steerforth paints the whole picture of what it would be like for David to work as an assistant clerk in a law office. He encourages David to take it up. Consequently, when David meets his great-aunt in London, he is eager to pay the law offices a visit.
David notices that his aunt is awfully glad to see him. Indeed, she’s on the verge of tears though she pretends otherwise. David asks her about the cost of apprenticing him to a lawyer, and when told of the sum, David wonders whether his great-aunt is putting too much faith in him; she assures him that her faith in him won't be shaken no matter the circumstances. Subsequently, the next day, they set out for the law offices. Alas, in transit, they’re harassed by someone David takes to be a vagabond. As it turns out, this someone has a claim on David’s great-aunt's purse which she dare not defy. David’s great-aunt has David promise to keep this a secret between them.
Presently, they arrive at the law offices of Spenlow and Jorkins. David gets a chance to meet Mr. Spenlow, an extravagantly dressed man whose clothes hamper his movement. He is also a kind-hearted man in contrast with Mr. Jorkins, Mr. Spenlow’s invisible partner who is reputed to be ruthless when it comes to collecting past dues. After Mr. Spenlow gives David a tour of the law offices, David’s great-aunt takes David to what is to be his bachelor pad while he works at Spenlow and Jorkins. The first month’s rent has been paid for, and it’s assumed David’s employment will pay for the remainder of the year-long lease. David’s landlord is a Mrs. Crupp who is thrilled to have David as her tenant. (Her previous tenant had died in the very rooms she is letting to David, making it difficult for her to find someone to let the rooms to.)