Part 2, Act 3, Scenes 9-12 Summary

Scene 9. Miss LaCreevy, Mrs. Nickleby, Tim Linkinwater and the Cheeryble brothers greet Kate and Nicholas upon their return from Devon. Miss LaCreevy, Mrs. Nickleby, Tim and Ned Cheeryble discreetly withdraw as Charles Cheeryble confronts Nicholas and Kate about their rejection of Frank and Madeline, watching from a hiding place.

Mr. Charles tells Nicholas and Kate that he's hurt that they thought, even for a moment, that the Cheerybles are such poor judges of character that they would assume Nicholas and Kate are after Frank and Madeline's money. He also chides them for suggesting that they themselves would become corrupted if they came in contact with riches. Nicholas protests that that's what they've learned on their various journeys - that to become connected with money is to become corrupted. At this point Frank and Madeline can keep silent...