A week after meeting Marian and Laura at the latter’s supposed graveside, Walter is living in London with both of them, passing them off as his sisters. Walter works while Marian keeps house, but Laura is in a physically and emotionally fragile state—not to mention “legally dead.” Meanwhile, Marian and Walter are widely supposed to have been helping Anne, who is allegedly claiming to be Laura.

Walter announces that he will recount what happened to Marian and Laura after the other narratives left off.

He begins with Marian. While still recovering at Blackwater, she received news from Madame Fosco that Laura was dead. After reaching London, she told Mr. Kyrle of her suspicions (presumably, that Laura was murdered), but his investigations turned up nothing. She then traveled to Limmeridge. Count Fosco was there for Laura’s funeral, and in a letter to Mr. Fairlie, he wrote that Anne had been found and returned to the psychiatric hospital; however, she now claimed to be Laura.

Marian continued trying to investigate Sir Percival, Count Fosco, and Mrs. Rubelle, but discovered little beyond the fact that Sir Percival was now in Paris. She therefore resolved to visit Anne in the hospital. Once brought to “Anne,” Marian recognized Laura immediately.