Clym and Eustacia live a secluded life in the house at Alderworth, and he resumes his study, though she still hopes he will eventually take her to Paris. Mrs. Yeobright, puzzled because Clym has never acknowledged receipt of the guineas and then learning from Christian that Wildeve won them in gambling, visits Eustacia while she is at Mistover Knap. Eustacia misunderstands the older woman's questions, and they quarrel bitterly. When Eustacia tells Clym of the occasion, she brings up Paris again.
Quite unexpectedly, Clym experiences severe eye trouble, an "acute inflammation" caused by too many hours of reading, and is told that it may be months before it clears up. Eustacia is greatly depressed, but Clym decides to take up furze (thick underbrush) cutting with Hymphrey. On an occasion when Eustacia discovers Clym singing while he works, they have a conversation that is bitter under the surface, both seeming to admit they no longer feel about each other as they once did.
