Esther leaves the apprentice house after signing her contract of employment. Her new home is a small, dirty cellar in Styal village, but it gives her some freedom. Patience makes the younger girls' lives a misery following Esther's departure.

Esther is in the final stages of pregnancy as eight months have now passed. She finally gives birth to a healthy baby boy following a difficult labour. She then returns to work the following day, but finds it hard to keep up as Lucy covers for her so she can rest and the friends finally reconcile. The Chartist Petition containing over one million signatures is rejected by Parliament. Daniel urges his disillusioned comrades not to resort to physical force.