Mr. Domley has a son and heir at last, although his wife has died in childbirth. Neglected and heart-broken, his daughter is counseled by her maid, Susan Nipper, and Paul's nurse, the kindly Polly.
Polly and Susan Nipper have taken little Florence and her baby brother Paul to visit the Toodle family, in the hope of seeing Polly's son, Biler. On the way home, Florence is separated from the others and gets lost.
Florence has been found by Walter Gay and a friendship begins between them. Baby Paul grows up into a strange, old-fashioned little boy. Worried about the child's poor health, Mr. Dombey has sent him to Mrs. Pipchin's school in Brighton.
Shattered by young Paul's death, Mr. Dombey has gone to Leamington Spa, accompanied by Major Bagstock, who introduces him to the scheming Mrs. Skewton and her daughter Edith. Meanwhile Florence was notified that Walter's ship is missing.
Walter Gay's ship has been given up for lost, and Sol Gillis has disappeared, leaving Captain Cuttle in charge of his shop. Although Edith does not love Mr. Dombey, she has, nevertheless, accepted his proposal of marriage.
Mr. Dombey and Edith gets married, but there is a growing coldness between them. Finally, Mr. Dombey's criticisms of his wife's conduct lead to a serious quarrel.
To revenge herself upon Mr. Dombey, Edith has run away with Carker. Furious and humiliated, Mr. Dombey has turned on Florence, who has fled to Captain Cuttle for refuge.