- The chapter opens with a reminder by the narrator that Mr. Casaubon has his own inner life – his own plans and hopes and insecurities – that Dorothea knows nothing about.
- Mr. Casaubon opens a letter from Will Ladislaw, and finds an enclosed note to Dorothea.
- He hands her the sealed note, and isn't very happy about it.
- Dorothea's completely innocent. She thinks of Will only as a relative of her husband's who has been kind to her – she has no idea that Casaubon is jealous of Will.
- In his note to Mr. Casaubon, Will has suggested that he swing by for a visit when he returns to England.
- Mr. Casaubon repeats this to Dorothea, and tells her not to get her hopes up – he's too busy to entertain visitors.
- Dorothea's annoyed that Casaubon should assume that she would want to see Will if he doesn't. After all, he's his cousin, not hers.
- After this minor tiff, Casaubon leaves the room and promptly has what appears to be a minor heart attack.
- Dorothea catches him and takes him the couch, just as Celia, Sir James, and Mr. Brooke arrive for a visit.
- Sir James immediately sends his servant for Lydgate (just as we saw at the end of Chapter 27).