Our Mutual Friend

The Boffins give money to the Lammles as thanks for the information about John’s intentions toward Bella. However, Boffin refuses to hire Lammle as his new secretary. Georgiana enters, saddened by the news of the Lammles’ recent financial struggles and lamenting her father’s orders to never associate with them. She tries to gift them money and jewelry, but after she leaves, Boffin ensures that these gifts will be returned. Mrs. Lammle thanks him for his discretion, though her husband is annoyed that they cannot keep the gifts. With the money from the Boffins, the Lammles plan to move abroad.

Later that night, Boffin and Venus go to meet Silas. Venus has warned Boffin that Silas intends to demand money from him. When all three men talk, Silas issues his demands: He wants two-thirds of Boffin’s estate, including profits from the dust heaps, and he wants John to be fired (which has already happened). Mulling on how to respond, Boffin asks to see the will. They read it together in Venus’s shop, with Silas mocking Boffin. He will keep a close eye on Boffin, he says, but Boffin asks that they keep this a secret from his wife. Silas mocks Boffin but promises to do so.

Bella sneaks away from her family and goes to Greenwich with her father. There, she marries John in a secret ceremony. She informs her mother via a letter that she and John have married, pretending that her father knew nothing. The newlyweds set up a small but comfortable home.

Mr. Wilfer finds that his wife and other daughter are harboring “extreme bitterness.” Several weeks pass and Bella visits; her clear happiness allows the family to forgive her elopement. Afterward, she talks with John, assuring him that she is happy and that she does not want riches. Time passes and Bella devotes herself to becoming a housewife. Occasionally, her husband asks whether she would like to be wealthy, but she always assures him that she is very happy. After some time, she becomes pregnant.

Lizzie is working in a paper mill. Eugene visits her, though Lizzie is careful to keep him at a distance. He confesses to her that he came to look for her. They argue, with Lizzie insistent that they cannot be together. Lizzie tells Eugene to leave her be; otherwise, she will be forced to relocate again. Reluctantly, Eugene agrees and makes plans to return to London the next day. After the meeting, he wanders around in a despondent mood. Someone wearing a red handkerchief attacks Eugene, beating him savagely and throwing him into the river. Lizzie, not too far away, hears the sound of the attack. She rushes to the water and calls out to a passing boatman. They drag the victim ashore. Horrified to see the injured Eugene, she takes him to a nearby inn where he can receive medical treatment.

Headstone arrives at Riderhood’s cottage at dawn. As Headstone sleeps, Riderhood becomes convinced that Headstone is the man who attacked Eugene. When Headstone wakes, Riderhood tells him that Lizzie saved Eugene. During their breakfast, Headstone cuts himself with a knife, apparently by accident. His blood spills on Riderhood’s clothes. When Headstone leaves that evening, Riderhood follows. He watches Headstone throw his clothes in the river and dress himself in an outfit that resembles Riderhood’s. Before he heads home, Riderhood fishes a “bundle” from the river. Headstone returns to London, his mind gripped by regrets that he failed to execute his plan properly. When Charley confronts him about the attack on Eugene the next day, Headstone is quiet. Charley asks him to say nothing, as he does not want to hear anything incriminating from his mentor. He resents Headstone for implicating him in this situation. He denounces Headstone and leaves to pursue his dream of a respectable future.

Jenny believes that Riah betrayed Lizzie, so she resolves not to tell him anything further. Fledgeby appears one day at Jenny’s store and offers her a large amount of business to tell him Lizzie’s location. Jenny hesitantly arranges to meet him the following day, though she makes no promises. He leaves, assuming that he will get what he wants, while Jenny ponders the details of whatever he is plotting. The following morning, she goes to his house but is denied entry, as Fledgeby is in another meeting. Lammle eventually emerges. When Jenny goes into Fledgeby’s office, she finds him badly hurt: Lammle beat him with the stick and poured “salt and snuff” into his throat (722). Rather than help Fledgeby, Jenny dresses him in vinegar-soaked bandages and leaves, pleased with herself.