Emma sinks deeper into the spiral of deceit and, in order to finance presents and trysts in Rouen, deeper into debt with Lheureux. When, on the death of his uncle, Charles is left property, Emma and Lheureux conspire to obtain power of attorney. Despite fierce opposition from her mother-in-law, she achieves this and continues to fund illicit meetings with Léon. Lheureux sells on the debt to another moneylender who gives Emm two days to find enough money to keep him at bay.