Book the Second, Chapters XVII - XIX Summary

In Chapter XVIII, Dorrit leaves the Merdle household from his farewell dinner and upon arriving at his hotel, finds John Chivery waiting for him, bringing cigars as he did long ago. Dorrit is mortified to be seen with him, and is quite rude to the young man. The next morning Dorrit leaves to return to Italy.

In Chapter XIX, Dorrit arrives at his Roman home quite late, and since he was not expected until tomorrow, he is not greeted by Amy. He finds the young woman sitting by the fire with his brother, conversing and comfortable. Amy advises that Mrs. Merdle is returning to London soon and they have been invited to her farewell dinner. Mr. Dorrit is behaving rather strangely, dropping off to sleep in the middle of conversations and...