Mark delivers the letter to Mary, disguising it as his own letter for a petition of employment. Mary tells him that she will meet Martin at St. James Park tomorrow morning at eight.
Mary notices that Mark looks more anxious and reflective. He says it is understandable considering how difficult his circumstances have been. However, he considers her love worth the suffering.
He tells her he is going to America. Mary is concerned that he hasn’t considered the risks of this venture—he’ll be far away in a foreign country, risking illness and catastrophe. However, he tells her he considers it better than starving in his country, forced to take menial jobs to earn his bread.
Martin reveals that his grandfather has aborted his attempts to be successful here. He asks Mary if she has heard his grandfather mention Pecksniff. She says that Martin’s grandfather had said he was a better man than he had first believed. She says they may wind up living with the Pecksniffs. Martin tells her not to trust Pecksniff.
Martin promises to make his fortune in America and come back to claim her as his wife. By then he is certain she will no longer feel any obligation to his grandfather. Until then, he will write frequently. Martin tells her about Pinch’s character and how he plans to patronize Pinch. He reveals that Pinch was the organist that she used to listen to.
He reads her the letter he wrote for Pinch. He tells Pinch that he will have Mrs. Lupin deliver his letters to Pinch. Martin tells his friend he is going to America with Mark Tapely. He asks Pinch to deliver his letters to Mary and to take care of her—for they will meet.
Mark interrupts them, saying Mary had asked him to when it struck the hour. Mary asks when they will leave. Martin says tonight. Mary informs Martin that the grandfather has continued to be kind to her, and that he hasn’t mentioned Martin in anger. She says Martin should forgive his grandfather. Martin says he is no man’s puppet.
Mary asks if they have enough money for their trip. Martin assures her. Mark takes Mary home. When he returns, he gives Martin a ring Mary had given to him to deliver. Martin thinks the grandfather had given it to her, but Mark knows that Mary bought the ring—and diminished her savings quite a bit doing so. That Martin fails to see this gives Mark insight into his character.