Chapters 4 and 5 Summary

Diligence arrives at Portsmouth where the news of Shannon's victory is widely known and celebration is ensuing. Amidst the tumultuous celebration, Aubrey makes his way to naval authorities and files his lengthy and improbable preliminary report, spanning many months and several ships. After making his report Aubrey returns home and finds it much reduced—nearly vacant, in fact. He meets his children and locates Sophie, and the two enjoy a joyful reunion. Mrs. Williams, Sophie's mother, is fortunately away. During their re-acquaintance Aubrey muses about clocks. Sometime later several businessmen arrive, stating they are representatives of Kimber. They murmur out vague threatening when Aubrey refuses to give them more money and then depart in a nebulous haze of the threat of lawsuits. Aubrey is then joined by Maturin and the two men travel to London to make their official reports...