Oliver is still weak and sleeps a good deal. At night, a woman comes in to relieve Mrs. Bedwin and watch him. She sleeps more than he does. The gloomy darkness at night makes Oliver feel like Death is near and ready to claim him.
The next morning, though, Oliver awakes happy—knowing the worst is over and he will not die. Three days later, though he can’t walk, he can sit up. He is transferred to a downstairs room.
Oliver likes a portrait of a pretty woman. He thinks the eyes are sorrowful, and he almost thinks the woman wants to speak to him. Mrs. Bedwin says the portrait is of a lady she doesn’t know. Worrying that the portrait will excite Oliver too much, she turns him around so he can’t see it.
Mr. Brownlow pays a visit and is upset by how ill Oliver is. He himself has a cold. Oliver tells the gentleman that he is very content and grateful. He tells Mr. Brownlow his real name.
Mr. Brownlow cries out suddenly, seeing the resemblance between Oliver and the portrait. The cry startles Oliver, and he faints.
Dodger and Bates turned on Oliver in the name of self-preservation. As soon as everyone was focused on Oliver, they took the quickest route home—though they took precautions to confuse anyone who may have followed them.
When they stop to rest, Bates laughs at Oliver’s predicament. Dodger is worried about what Fagin will do. They return to Fagin’s, who ask where Oliver is.