Melbury throws him onto the road, and Dr. Fitzpiers says that he would be free if Grace were dead. Fitzpiers on the ground, unsaddled by his ride. Melbury follows him and, on the way back, finds a delirious Dr. Fitzpiers returns from work and, seeing Grace gone, rides to Mrs. Melbury also discovers the affair when Dr. Grace discovers that this is a lie when she finds a ticket for a toll gate from Middleton in his jacket. Fitzpiers rides to visit her there, telling Grace that he is seeing a patient.

Charmond goes away to the town of Middleton, some miles away, Dr. Charmond, who reveals that she had recently seen him in a hotel and recognized him as her partner in an adolescent romance. Fitzpiers hears that local aristocrat, Mrs Charmond, has been involved in an accident. When the couple returns from their honeymoon, Dr. Fitzpiers sees Grace numerous times over the summer, and Grace eventually agrees to marry him. Fitzpiers asks his permission to court Grace and Mr. Fitzpiers jumps in front of Giles to catch Grace. At a midsummer ritual designed to determine future partners by running down a ridge where men are waiting, Dr. Fitzpiers sees Grace again and helps her from her carriage. Later, while watching the process of “barking” in the woods, Dr. When Grace’s servant falls ill, Grace visits the new doctor, Dr. Grace, seeing these words, and imagining that Giles is watching her, changes “lose” to “keep.” However, Giles does not see her do this, and Grace abandons interest in Giles when he does not respond. The man’s daughter, Marty (who is in love with Giles), writes on Giles’s wall that having lost his home, “he will lose his Grace” (91). When a local man dies, Giles loses his home because the house, which was on a “life lease” with the man, returns to the wealthy Mrs. Melbury makes Grace promise not to see Giles again. The Melburys arrive early though, while Giles is still preparing food, and they overhear crude singing by other guests. To win Grace’s love by making a better impression, Giles next decides to throw a Christmas party. Showing up earlier than expected, the well-dressed Grace is embarrassed by having to greet Giles while he is still working. Giles begins his courtship by picking Grace up from a nearby town. Grace’s father, George, has promised Grace to local farmer Giles and encourages him to pursue Grace. Twenty-year-old Grace Melbury returns from boarding school to her father’s home in Little Hintock. This guide uses the 1996 Wordsworth Classics edition of The Woodlanders.

The woodlanders sparknotes