In chapter five, the story shifts back in time to focus on Molly and John, the future parents of the Jenkyns sisters. John is very much in love and eager to be married, but Molly seems more enthusiastic about getting new, fashionable, clothes once she is married. She expresses annoyance at John's inability to convince her parents to buy her some finery, despite his constant professions of love, in their correspondence. However, she finally accepts his advances, and they are married when Molly is eighteen.