Edith informs Lock that he has received a letter from Lucy who is in Cornwall, and wishes to visit to discuss a proposal to go to a university in Paris. "She says that the visit would have to be 'almost immediately' as she proposed to be back in Paris by October 14, and has first to spend 'some days' in London." However, BR has fallen ill so Edith has informed Lucy that a visit would not be possible for the weekend.

A frustrated Edith writes, "To finance her residence in Paris would be to give her carte blanche to continue to do as she pleased regardless of others. In this connection we are becoming impatient at the considerable legal costs which Lucy causes us, and we are wondering whether these could be met from funds which are earmarked for her."