Our Mutual Friend, Book 3: A Long Lane, Chapter 4 summary
Book 3: A Long Lane, Chapter 4 of 68 · 20 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 4, Bella visits her parents for their wedding anniversary, cooks an imperfect dinner, and shares four secrets with her father on their walk home. Her account of marriage prospects and the Boffins’ generosity ends with her fear that prosperity is corrupting Mr. Boffin and could also corrupt her.
What happens
- Bella arrives with fowls for the anniversary and inspects Mr Rokesmith’s room, finding property calculations, a murder placard, and a woman’s portrait.
- Bella insists on cooking, while Lavinia challenges their mother’s gloomy dignity and George Sampson arrives for dinner.
- Mr. Wilfer finishes cooking the underdone fowls, and Mrs. Wilfer describes the taller suitor she rejects before marrying him.
- Walking home with her father, Bella reports rejecting Mr. Rokesmith and discouraging Mr. Lightwood, whose finances offer her nothing.
- Bella gratefully shares the Boffins’ promise of a marriage portion, then describes Mr. Boffin’s worsening conduct and fears money’s influence on herself.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Bella’s fourth secret turns the conversation from marriage prospects to moral concern. Her judgment of Boffin also prompts fear about her own attraction to wealth.
Quick check
What condition accompanies the Boffins’ promise of a generous marriage portion?
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