Our Mutual Friend

Lizzie returns to Jenny Wren, the childlike dressmaker who has become her close friend. Jenny has a range of physical disabilities. Eugene arrives, mentioning that he passed Charley in the street. Eugene has kept a close watch on Riderhood through Mortimer Lightwood, though he has no updates about the man. It emerges that Eugene has offered to hire a teacher for Lizzie (and Jenny), but she is hesitant to accept. Her hesitancy is a mistake, he believes. Lizzie appreciates his desire to help and agrees to the lessons. Jenny’s father will be home soon, she says, so Eugene should leave. He departs, and the man arrives a short time later in an intoxicated state, receiving a scolding from Jenny.

Given a chance to run for Parliament, Veneering rallies support from his associates. He visits Twemlow, who declines to help him but offers to get support from others. Podsnap offers to help Veneering, and they work on his campaign together by talking to “influential people.” His wife visits Lady Tippins, whose connections may help secure the seat. A dinner is held at the Veneering house; Veneering delivers a speech. He wins the seat, and everyone celebrates. Twemlow, however, suspects that there are irregularities in the election, as Veneering knows nothing about the constituency that he now represents.

Georgiana Podsnap is becoming friends with the Lammles. During one visit at their house, she is told about a young man named Fledgeby who is romantically interested in her. The Lammles arrange for Georgiana and Fledgeby to meet. Georgiana is more concerned with pleasing her friends than any romantic relationship. She has no idea that Fledgeby is part of the Lammles’ plot to secure her fortune.

Fledgeby is distantly related to Twemlow but has flourished despite his family being relatively poor. Lammle criticizes him for not pursuing Georgiana more forcefully, as he wants the young couple to marry as soon as possible. In the meantime, he must borrow money from Fledgeby. When he is alone, Fledgeby goes out to meet with Riah, a Jewish man who borrowed large sums of money from Fledgeby’s father. Fledgeby has forgiven the debt and placed Riah in charge of his deceased father’s moneylending business. Fledgeby is surprised to see Lizzie and Jenny in the moneylender’s store; they have purchased some scraps of fabric from Riah. They appreciate that his store is quiet and peaceful, allowing them to study.

During this time, Mortimer confronts Eugene, concerned that Eugene is keeping secrets. As they speak, Charley and Headstone come to the lawyers’ office. Charley wants to know why Eugene keeps visiting his sister; as they talk, antagonism mounts between Eugene and Headstone. Charley and Headstone criticize Eugene for arranging Lizzie’s education, as they were planning to do so. Eugene dismisses Headstone, which angers Headstone. The schoolmaster warns Eugene to steer clear of Lizzie and then departs with Charley. Mortimer asks Eugene whether he has romantic intentions toward Lizzie, but Eugene is evasive.

In his new position, Silas has developed an arrogant attitude and sense of entitlement. He buys his leg from Venus, who personally delivers it to the Bower. Silas mentions that he feels he has been mistreated by Boffin (who, he believes, favors Rokesmith) and been overlooked for the role of secretary. He quizzes Venus regarding Harmon’s links to dust heaps, wondering what sort of valuable items Harmon might have hidden in them. Venus acknowledges that the rumors about the dust heaps may be true; in particular, there may be an alternative will hidden somewhere. Silas insists he simply wants justice and offers to work with Venus. If they find anything, he says, they can split the profits equally. Since Venus no longer has any romantic prospects, he begrudgingly agrees to the deal. As they discuss the need for secrecy, Rokesmith interrupts with a message from Boffin. After Rokesmith leaves, Silas talks about his resentment of Boffin, who now lives in a house that Silas values a great deal. He believes that Boffin is the chief beneficiary of the murder of John Harmon.

Boffin notices that Rokesmith seems to avoid contact with everyone who is not Bella. Bella has also noted how frequently Rokesmith seems to come into contact with her. His presence flusters her. After one encounter, she returns home to her family and hears her mother disparage the Boffins. Bella leaps to their defense. As she leaves, Rokesmith arrives with a bag of money. Bella takes the money to hand it directly over to her father. Bella then visits her father at his office, suggesting that he finish for the day so that they can spend time together. While they are alone, Bella tells her father that she is becoming a “mercenary” obsessed with getting rich. Mr. Wilfer is troubled by his daughter’s confession. After they part ways, Bella reflects sadly on the state of her life.