Our Mutual Friend, Book 4: A Turning, Chapter 5 summary

What happens

1. Mrs. Wilfer condemns Bella’s marriage, but Lavinia’s emotional fit helps turn the family dispute into a reluctant invitation.
2. Bella visits with John and disarms her mother and sister through affection, openness, and cheerful satisfaction with married life.
3. John asks whether Bella wants riches, but she values his love more than expensive clothes or a carriage.
4. Bella learns household management, studies newspapers for John’s sake, and shows unusual seriousness while playfully caring for her father.
5. After writing to Lizzie Hexam, Bella questions John about money and nearly prompts him to reveal his secret.
6. Bella assures John of her contentment and finally tells him she thinks they are expecting a baby.

In this chapter

What to notice

Bella makes trust, rather than money, the center of her appeal. She wants John to accept that her present happiness is genuine.

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