Despite Steerforth’s betrayal, David is unable to muster up ill-will for his erstwhile friend. Indeed, David finds that his love for Steerforth is never greater than now when all that had bound them had been severed.
Presently, David puts himself in the service of Mr. Peggotty who is determined to look for and find Emily. Meanwhile, it has been decided that Ham will remain behind at Yarmouth to work and pick up the slack that Mr. Peggotty’s absence will invariably cause in the fishing community. While exchanging a word with Ham, David senses a dark omen by the manner in which Ham pensively stares at the sea, as if Emily’s absconding has sealed Ham’s fate to die a bachelor. But for all that David is encouraged by Mrs. Gummidge whose renewed industry and optimism are at odds with her usual querulousness.
Before retiring for the night at Peggotty’s house, David drops by Mr. Omer’s shop where he finds Mr. Omer’s daughter-in-law Mrs. Joram in a state of high dudgeon with regard Emily’s betrayal. Needless the whole of Yarmouth community is disappointed with Emily and greatly concerned for Ham and Mr. Peggotty.
While Peggotty is attending to her brother’s needs at the boathouse, David is meditating alone at Peggotty’s domicile when there is a knock at the door. David can’t imagine who it could be as the hour is late to the extent Peggotty’s house servant has been allowed to retire for the night. When David answers the door, he beholds Miss Mowcher, the dwarf of a woman who is a virtual jack of all trades and who is Steerforth’s friend whom David had first met at a Yarmouth inn. David invites her in, and by and by, warming herself by the kitchen fender, Miss Mowcher begins to expound on her state of distress. She explains that she had a hunch that Steerforth was secretly in love with Emily. She explains that Steerforth had made her an unwitting accessory to the crime by having her deliver Emily a letter. She reproaches Steerforth, claiming that Steerforth had manipulated not only her but David to abscond with Emily. Having had her say, Miss Mowcher departs, leaving David with a favorable impression of her sense of right and wrong.
Come morning, Ham and Mrs. Gummidge see off David, Mr. Peggotty, and Peggotty who are on their way to London. Ham has a word with David, asking David to look after Mr. Peggotty, which David assures he will do without fail. He also reminds David that his—Ham’s—work wages will finance Mr. Peggotty’s search of Emily, prompting David to remind Ham of Mr. Peggotty’s inherited money, courtesy of Mr. Barkis.
On their way to London, David agrees to facilitate Mr. Peggotty’s wish to have a meeting with Mrs. Steerforth. To that end, David sends Mrs. Steerforth a letter with regard Mr. Peggotty’s visit, in advance of the visit.
Having procured an apartment nearby David’s residence which Peggotty will housekeep and which will function as Mr. Peggotty’s headquarters during his search, David and Mr. Peggotty make their way to Highgate, the Steerforth’s residence. There they are coolly received by Mrs. Steerforth and Rosa Dartle. (Littimer is nowhere to be seen.) Presently Mr. Peggotty puts the matter thus: His love for Emily is such that if Mrs. Steerforth’s son will make a lady of Emily, then Mr. Peggotty will forgive Steerforth and would be content to forever leave Emily in Steerforth’s custody. Alas, arguing that Emily is below her son’s social status and that Emily’s association with her son will ruin her son’s career, Mrs. Steerforth undermines Mr. Peggotty’s presumption and demands that Mr. Peggotty consider the harm Emily has caused her and her family.
By and by, having had his say and assuring David that he never expected any good to come of his visit of Mrs. Steerforth, Mr. Peggotty and David depart from Highgate. But before they do, David is waylaid by Rosa Dartle who berates David for involving James Steerforth with common folk such as the Peggottys. Indeed, Miss Dartle declares Emily deserving of the worst fate.
David and Mr. Peggotty return to London. There they have a meal courtesy of Peggotty. Come morning, Mr. Peggotty begins his wandering search of Emily, and all David could think about is Mr. Peggotty’s words to the effect that he—Mr. Peggotty—will always love Emily to the extent that her betrayal has already been forgiven.