After escaping from the pound, Mr Pickwick sets off for London to see Messrs Dodson and Fogg, to demand an axplanation of Mrs Bardell's writ for breach of promise.

The case of Bardell vs. Pickwick comes to court, and Mr Pickwick prepares for his ordeal.

Mr Pickwick, holding to his resolution not to pay the damages awarded against him, is in the Fleet prison, where he is shocked and saddened by the misery around him. It seems he has even lost the services of Sam Weller.

Mr Pickwick has paid the costs of his court case, securing his own, and Mrs Bardell's release. He now has to sort out the problems caused by Mr Winkle's runaway marriage.