Catherine returns to the Allens’ house feeling entirely disappointed with how the evening went. She decides that she will seek out Eleanor Tilney as a new friend the following day. In the morning, John arrives unannounced and tells Catherine to quickly ready herself to go on a drive with him in his open carriage. She is sure they never made plans to go for a drive, but John insists she agreed to it the day before. Catherine agrees to go on the drive, thereby delaying her efforts to befriend Miss Tilney.

When Catherine steps outside, Isabella immediately complains about how long it took her to get ready and come join them. Isabella says she has a thousand things to say to Catherine and urges her to hurry so they can set off on their drive. While driving, John says the horse pulling their carriage is a little wild, but Catherine is relieved to find the opposite is true; the horse is quite calm, which John attributes to his skilled horsemanship. Catherine wonders why John would try to alarm her by saying the horse was wild if he knew all along that he could control it, but she ultimately decides to put the thought of danger out of her mind and do her best to enjoy the ride.