Subsequent to the emigrants departing for Australia, David takes Agnes’ advice and goes abroad to deal with Dora’s death. Alas, at a certain point, what with the deaths of Ham and Steerforth added to his grief, David finds the pain so unbearable that David nearly returns home for the express purpose of dying at home. Needless to say, David stays abroad.
At a Swiss village, David breaks down and cries only to be consoled by Agnes’s letter. He writes back, telling Agnes how much she means to him and that he will try get over his grief as she confidently predicts he will. It has been 6 months since David has been abroad; he gives himself 3 more months to get over his grief.
At the end of those 3 months, David decides to make Switzerland his temporary home and begins to write a story. When David finishes the story, he sends it off to Traddles who has it published to great acclaim. David starts writing a book. He isn’t halfway finished with it when he decides to return home. Assessing the effects of his sojourn abroad, David determines that his physical health has been much improved. As for his mental health, David thinks about Agnes. He realizes that at one time he may have chosen Agnes as his wife, but that time has long passed and now she can only be a dear friend.
Resigned to the fact that Agnes can only be a friend and a sister, David returns home. Three years has passed since the day the emigrants had left for Australia.