- Maisie worries that she'll soon face "the hour when … with two fathers, two mothers, and two homes, six protections in all, she shouldn't know 'wherever' to go" (XII.1).
- Mrs. Wix is also frightened about her own future and Maisie's.
- This is because there is apparently yet another man in Ida's life. (That's right, readers: her ladyship gets around.) This one's name is Lord Eric.
- Mrs. Wix proposes that she, Sir Claude, and Maisie all go off and live together.
- Sir Claude says he'll have to think about this. He's worried about what people will say if he leaves his wife, Ida.
- Mrs. Wix begs Sir Claude, on behalf of Maisie and in the name of what's right.
- Sir Claude says it's not that simple but starts to take Maisie out with him, especially on weekends when Ida is away.
- Ida stays away more, and it seems to the others in her house that she's testing the waters, planning on a permanent departure from home.
- Mrs. Wix thinks this means all they have to do is wait: if Ida leaves, then she, Maisie, and Sir Claude will all live together, as planned.