The Lost Apothecary

Eliza and Nella take the first morning coach back to the city. As they head toward the shop, Eliza wonders how Nella constantly deals with the “heavy burden” of potential detection by authorities. At the shop, Eliza learns from Nella just how work-intensive the production of this powder is; Nella’s destruction of the first batch is given new weight in Eliza’s eyes, and the young girl realizes “just how strongly she felt against murdering the mistress of a lord” (156). Although Nella has told Eliza that she must leave the shop after this task is done, Eliza hopes that by doing a great job, Nella will change her mind. Though Eliza’s period has stopped, her fear remains; she thinks Mr. Amwell’s ghost has gone back to Warwick Lane to wait for her. Eliza feels proud of the work she and Nella have done with the beetles; her resolve to not hurt other women with such mixtures is “not as rigid as Nella’s” (157). Lady Clarence leaves with the powder.

Nella is visibly guilt-ridden as she records the name of Lord Clarence’s mistress, a fact that Eliza finds striking. Eliza recognizes that of all the poisons Nella has dispensed, this one likely bears heaviest on her mind.