The narrator explains that the unseen presence who attacked Quixote and Rodriguez was Altisidora and the duchess, who had been eavesdropping from outside the bedroom. The duchess took offense to Rodriguez revealing the secret about her legs. After bursting into Quixote’s room, the duchess sent a messenger to Teresa Panza, Sancho Panza’s wife, to deliver the letter Panza had left with the duchess. Teresa is thrilled by the news her husband is now a governor. When she tells Pero Perez and Sanson Carrasco about Panza’s success, they do not believe her until they speak with the messenger themselves. Not trusting Carrasco, Teresa visits a local priest to help her write a response for the messenger to take back. Perez is suspicious of the messenger, so he invites the man to dinner at his home.

Panza listens to petitions from local judges. As the judges speak, Panza feels increasingly hungry. Eventually, he reaches a decision. The decision is so widely praised that his steward promises him he can eat as much as he likes, regardless of the doctor’s orders. A messenger brings a letter from Quixote. The letter is filled with more advice on how to govern while also mentioning that Quixote is considering leaving the duke and duchess’s palace because he is about to do something that will inevitably make them angry.