RobertisworkinginOxfordandsendingmoneyhomewhilstRubyPratthasreturnedfromPontefractaftersplittingwithhergentlemanfriend.GabrielCochrane,whosewifehasdiedandwhosefoundryhasbeenrepossessedbythebank,comestoCandleford,penniless,andDorcasemployshiminherforgewheretheworkinterestsSydney.AfterEdmundhascollectedmoneyfromRobertatthepostoffice,hearriveshomesayinghehasbeenrobbed.ThewholevillageralliesroundEmma.