The vicar gives Mary a blanket to wrap herself in so that she can change out of her wet clothes. Mary once again feels compelled to tell him what happened, and she once again feels like a foolish young girl in front of the vicar. She asks in vain if he can intercede on Jem’s behalf with Squire Bassat. She bitterly laments her love for Jem. Instead of comforting her, Francis Davey reminds her that she is still young; she will soon forget Jem.

Francis Davey asks about any new developments at Jamaica Inn. Mary, whose mind had been preoccupied with Jem, almost forgot about Joss’s confession about being a wrecker. She explains to the vicar what Joss told her. Davey’s voice sounds sharper than usual. He asks if Jem knows; Mary says that she told him. The vicar ponders that Jem may be able to save himself if he turns Joss in but reminds Mary that they do not truly know if Jem is working with Joss. When he sees the despair on Mary’s face, he tells her that the government will be cracking down on wreckers at the start of the new year.