Ellsworth Toohey publishes Sermons in Stone in January 1925. The book describes the architectural ideal: to bring it to the people. It is a collaborative effort, not the work of one man. The environment and age shape everything, and there is no free will. Cameron retires in February. In the past year he has gotten some commissions, but not many, and by now they are all gone. Cameron collapses and the doctors tell him that to get up would be a death sentence. His sister takes him to New Jersey to care for him. Before he leaves, Cameron instructs Roark to burn everything in his office except the drawing of the skyscraper, which he wants sent to him. Roark does this. He finds an interview given by Cameron in 1892 explaining what architecture means to him and throws it into the fire. Roark stands in front of the drawing of the skyscraper, looking at it.
Peter Keating is getting to be very well known and respected after three years at Francon & Heyer. He has forgotten that first building he designed and doesn't care about each building as long as his clients are happy. His mother comes to live with him; she asks about Francon's daughter and scolds Keating for not trying to meet her. Keating asks Francon about her; he tells him he would not like her. Francon says he is a failure as a father.
Keating's mother has been trying to discourage him from visiting Catherine, but he does anyway. He finds her organizing fan letters to Toohey; she is distracted by the work, so he takes her on a walk. He asks without excitement if they are engaged; she says yes. He suddenly worries that she might think it's because of her uncle, but she denies thinking this. She says that Ellsworth doesn't approve of marriage anyway, which makes Peter happy.
