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Our Mutual Friend, Chapter 17 summary

Chapter 17 of 68 · Book 1: The Cup and the Lip · 8 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 17, Nicodemus Boffin and Mrs. Boffin settle into their grand house with Bella Wilfer, attracting social invitations, eager tradesmen, and countless appeals for money. Their Secretary struggles with the flood of requests, while Wegg searches the old house and dust piles for something undisclosed.

What happens

  1. The Boffins settle into their grand mansion, and fashionable visitors hurry to leave cards and dinner invitations.
  2. Bella Wilfer moves in, receives fine clothes from Mrs. Boffin, and gains invitations from callers who initially overlook her.
  3. Tradesmen flatter the Boffins, while strangers offer their servants gifts and possible bribes to secure business.
  4. The Secretary handles charitable appeals, aristocratic fundraising letters, and personal requests using flattery, secrecy, threats, or promises of repayment.
  5. At the old house, Wegg secretly examines furniture and probes dust piles with an iron rod.

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In this chapter

BellaBoffinSilas Wegg

What to notice

The swamp image gathers the many financial appeals into one picture of obstruction and danger. The Secretary bears the daily burden of dealing with them.

Quick check

What does Wegg use to probe the dust piles?

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