Our Mutual Friend, Book 4: A Turning, Chapter 6 summary
Book 4: A Turning, Chapter 6 of 68 · 23 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 6, Lizzie Hexam asks Eugene Wrayburn to leave her in peace, but after they part he considers pursuing her again and suffers a brutal riverside attack. Lizzie hears the violence, retrieves him from the water, and carries him to his inn, where surgeons fear he is dead.
What happens
- Beside the river, Lizzie asks Eugene to leave the neighborhood and protect her reputation rather than force her to flee again.
- Eugene presses Lizzie to disclose her love, promises not to follow her that night, and only agrees to try leaving.
- Alone, Eugene debates marriage and departure, then considers approaching Lizzie again despite his uneasy conscience.
- After passing a silent man carrying a heavy object, Eugene crosses the bridge and suffers an attack beside the water.
- Lizzie hears blows and a splash, takes a boat, and pulls the wounded Eugene toward shallow water.
- She binds his wounds and carries him into his inn, where surgeons examine him and discover that she is unconscious.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Lizzie asks Eugene to put her reputation ahead of his desire. Her appeal makes clear that his pursuit threatens the peaceful, respected life she has built.
Quick check
Why does Lizzie first secure Eugene outside the boat rather than lift him aboard?
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