Provis’ safety is Pip’s only concern. He does wonder when he’ll ever see his apartment again, if he ever will.
The men plan to be on the river by night. They hope to hail one of the steamers going out of the country. It is a relief for them to execute these long awaited plans.
They pick up Provis, who is quite calm despite the danger. He doesn’t worry until there is a reason for it.
At night, they start believing they are being followed on the river. They hear sounds and see things that give them this idea. They stop at a public house. A man there tells them a four-oared galley had stopped there just before them. He thought the men looked like Customs officials by the way they hovered about—even though they didn’t have their buttons.
Several hours later, Pip sees some men looking over their boat. Provis later dismisses this, saying they are probably Customs officials—and they wouldn’t be interested in them.
On the river, Pip and Provis are about to head for a steamer that is approaching when the four-oared galley appears. One of the men hails their boat, saying he is there to apprehend Abel Magwitch.
Compeyson is on the galley. He and Magwitch go overboard during the confusion. Magwitch comes up later, having received an injury from one of the boats. He tells Pip he and Compeyson had struggled underwater. He had managed to free himself.
Pip accompanies Magwitch to London. His abhorrence for Magwitch no longer exists. He sees Provis as a good man who tried to be his benefactor. He is not sorry that Provis is badly hurt because he thinks it would be better if he did die. He doubts the sentence will be merciful.
Provis doesn’t regret coming back. He tells Pip he can be a gentleman without his help. Pip realizes this won’t happen, for Provis’ assets will be seized by the Crown. Provis tells him a gentleman shouldn’t be seen with him. He tells Pip only to come with Wemmick, and to sit in the court room where Provis can see him. Pip says he will stay at Provis’ side.