Nicholas seeks out the assistance of his uncle's clerk Newman Noggs who quickly arranges a position for him as a French tutor. With his mother and sister faced with eviction by his Uncle Ralph however, Nicholas opts to leave London. He and Smike head to Portsmouth thinking they may get work on a ship. He soon meets Vincent Crummles who suggests that the handsome young Nicholas consider a career on the stage. In London meanwhile, Kate is making her mark with the Mantalinis but Mr. Mantalini's wastrel ways have finally caught up with him and they go bankrupt. Of far more concern to Kate however is the fact that Lord Frederick Verisopht and Sir Mulberry Hawk now know where she lives and are pursuing their advances.