Taking advantage of the fact that the mummers (mimes) are practicing the traditional Christmas play in her grandfather's fuel house, Eustacia arranges to take Charley's place on the night it is to be given at Mrs. Yeobright's party. Her motive is to encounter Clym. Wearing Charley's costume, she joins the mummers that night, and they go to perform. While they are waiting for the dancing to end, she is recognized by some of the boys. She performs her part in the play, a part she has chosen so as not to reveal that she is a girl and to enable her to study the guests when her turn is over.
She is able to watch Clym at leisure, but when the mummers are asked to sit down to eat she suffers pangs of jealousy when she sees Clym talking to Thomasin. Eustacia fears he may fall in love with his cousin again but can do nothing on the present occasion because she is both dressed and treated as a boy. When she hurries outside, Clym follows her, guessing she is a woman; they talk briefly and generally. On her way home, she remembers she was to have met Wildeve that night but doesn't care that she has missed him.
