Because Fagin and Sikes trust Nancy, she is well informed regarding their crimes. In spite of her grudge against Fagin, she would not willingly be the instrument of his undoing. In her conversation with Rose, Nancy said nothing that could injure Sikes. Still, she is worried and distracted by the burden of her thoughts.
Fagin and his contemptuous colleague have no new projects working, so on Sunday night they are idle while Nancy frets. After eleven o'clock has struck, Nancy attempts casually to leave the room. With normal perversity, Sikes forbids her to go out. The girl becomes desperate and hysterical. Sikes detains her forcibly in another room until midnight, when she ceases to struggle.
The two men discuss Nancy's weird behavior until she re-enters the room. She is apparently subdued, so Sikes directs her to light (guide his way with a candle) Fagin down the stairs. Fagin whispers to her that if the "brute-beast" is too hard on her she can turn to him for protection. Fagin alludes to his power to destroy the man whom he hates.
Walking home, Fagin ponders the change in Nancy. He has for some time been led to believe that the girl has "wearied of the housebreaker's brutality" and has formed another attachment. Supported by Nancy's talent, such a man would be a valuable addition to Fagin's roster, he tells himself.
