When Emma arrives at her hotel, she has missed the coach to Yonville, and she has to hire a gig to catch the hirondelle. She finally catches up, and when she arrives at home, she is told to go straight to Homais' because there is an emergency.
When she gets to the pharmacy, Homais is busy yelling at Justin. A book on sexual exploits falls out of Justin's pocket, further infuriating Homais. Finally, he just blurts to Emma that her father in law has died.
Charles feels genuine grief at the death of his father, and his mother comes to mourn with him. The shopkeeper comes to talk to Charles about his note, and he sends Emma.....