Bleak House

At Lincoln’s Inn, two women share rumors about Krook’s alcohol addiction as well as gossip about Krook’s lodger. At Krook’s house, Krook retires to bed and leaves Weevle/Jobling to pace relentlessly between his room and the street, feeling anxious. Snagsby encounters Weevle/Jobling outside Krook’s store and remarks that he wouldn’t stay in a room where a person died. Snagsby mentions the “curious coincidence” that that former lodger (Nemo/Hawdon) worked for him, just like Weevle/Jobling does. Snagsby returns home, unaware that his wife has been following him.

Weevle/Jobling is scheduled to meet Guppy, who waits for Snagsby to leave before appearing. They enter Krook’s house and go to Weevle’s “unbearably dull, suicidal room” (465). There, Weevle/Jobling admits that living in the room is making him depressed. Guppy notices a portrait of Lady Dedlock and praises its verisimilitude. He encourages Weevle/Jobling to focus on their plan. They have learned that Krook took a bundle of letters addressed to Captain Hawdon from the officer’s trunk. Because Krook can’t read, he has arranged to lend Weevle/Jobling the letters so that he can summarize their contents for him. However, Guppy wants Weevle/Jobling to make copies of the letters to trick Krook, who is illiterate, into believing he still has the originals.

Guppy complains about soot on the sleeve of his coat, and when he attempts to sit on the windowsill, he says that he has put his hands in a “thick, yellow liquor” (471). Weevle/Jobling denies that this is the case, though liquor drips from the windowsill to the floor. When Weevle/Jobling leaves to collect the letters, he returns quickly and reveals that Krook has vanished. Weevle/Jobling and Guppy search for Krook but all they find is a burned spot on the floor. A fire seems to have burned inside the house, and the men see nothing unusual but a charred, black object that on closer inspection is Krook’s leg. He has burned to death in an instance of spontaneous combustion. The men realize what has happened and run from the house, screaming in horror.

The beadle takes Weevle/Jobling and Guppy to an inn named the Sol’s Arms. The customers quiz them about what happened. The death of Krook worries everyone. Since Miss Flite cannot stay at Krook’s house, she takes a room in the Sol’s Arms, which stays open for most of the night while Weevle/Jobling and Guppy hold court, telling the customers what they witnessed. When Snagsby and his wife arrive, having heard the news, Snagsby worries that he may somehow be responsible for Krook’s spontaneous combustion. Needing a moment to talk, Guppy takes Weevle/Jobling on a private walk. They insist that they are not conspiring, but they agree that there is no need to discuss the letters. Weevle/Jobling says he can’t bear to return to the room in Krook’s house, though Guppy wants him to remain there to investigate further. Weevle/Jobling challenges Guppy to stay in the room.

Judy arrives at the Sol’s Arms with her grandparents. Grandfather Smallweed is surprised that Guppy was present at the scene of Krook’s death. He reveals that Krook was his wife’s brother, so he has arrived to deal with the property. Grandfather Smallweed asks any doubters to consult his lawyer, Tulkinghorn.

Guppy goes to meet Lady Dedlock to tell her what has happened. He tells her that he does not have Captain Hawdon’s letters, which might have been “destroyed with the person” (487). As he leaves, Tulkinghorn enters, looking suspiciously at Lady Dedlock.

George reads a letter to Phil, explaining that Mr. Smallweed insists that the money owed by Mr. Bagnet to George is due the next day. The Bagnets arrive at the shooting gallery, worried that the sudden demand for payment will ruin them. George tells them not to worry: He will deal with the situation. Wondering whether someone might buy the shooting gallery from him, George goes to visit Grandfather Smallweed with Bagnet.

At Smallweed’s office, George says that he and Smallweed have always had an “understanding” regarding the payment of his debts. Furthermore, Bagnet does not have any way to pay his debt. When George asks Smallweed to reassure Bagnet, Smallweed angrily throws his pipe on the floor and threatens George. He tells the two men to “go to [his] lawyer” (499), so George and Bagnet visit Tulkinghorn. As they enter, Mrs. Rouncewell is leaving the lawyer’s office. She is moved by their presence, explaining that her son was a soldier but died; she does not get a good look at George, as he turns away to examine a book. During the meeting, Tulkinghorn tells Bagnet that he must pay the money. George seeks a private conversation with Tulkinghorn, in which he offers to provide the lawyer with a sample of Captain Hawdon’s handwriting in exchange for forbearance on the Bagnets’ debts. Tulkinghorn accepts the offer and George hands over a letter. Later that evening, George dines with the Bagnets. George is upset and he instructs Woolwich Bagnet to be kind to his mother.

Esther does not want to dwell on the weeks she spends ill. Her sight eventually recovers, but she forbids guests from visiting her because she does not want other people to get sick. Instead, she “read[s] the letters” sent to her each day (506). She feels happy and eventually recovers enough strength to sit up in her bed. Her room is tidy, and the house is quiet, but Esther notices that the mirror in her room is missing. When she asks why, Charley breaks down in tears. Esther knows that she has been scarred by her sickness, but she assures Charley that she will not let this concern her.

Once Esther is sure she is no longer contagious, Jarndyce visits. He is greatly relieved and tells Esther that he and Ada worried constantly for her wellbeing. He also mentions that Richard has been deeply affected by the “influences” of the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Richard has accused Jarndyce of a conflict of interest, but Jarndyce and Esther assure themselves that Richard will see reason soon. Esther wants to spend a week recovering elsewhere in the countryside before seeing Ada, so she visits Boythorn’s house, where Miss Flite comes to visit her. Miss Flite is delighted to see Esther. She mentions that Jenny spoke of “a lady with a veil” visiting and asking after Esther (514); the woman took the handkerchief that Esther had previously left with Jenny’s dead child. Esther wonders whether this mystery woman might be Caddy. Miss Flite hopes that her case will reach a conclusion soon, though her relatives hoped the same and many are now “dead of course” (515). Miss Flite also warns that Jarndyce and Jarndyce threatens to consume Richard. She speaks glowingly about her doctor, Mr. Woodcourt, who has returned to Britain after surviving a shipwreck. Woodcourt was hailed as a hero for saving many lives. Esther confesses that there was a time when she felt Woodcourt loved her. She would have married him, but now she is relieved that he is not burdened with her.

While in Lincolnshire, Esther sees her face in the mirror for the first time since her sickness. She hardly recognizes her image. She still has Mr. Woodcourt’s flowers, and she resolves to keep them as a reminder of the beauty she believes she has lost. Charley encourages Esther to venture outdoors to help with her recovery. During a horse ride, they pause at a spot in the woods near Chesney Wold; Esther confesses to the reader that she has never been so close to the Dedlock estate and cannot think why.

On another occasion, Esther sees Lady Dedlock. Lady Dedlock asks about Esther’s health, and they make polite conversation, though Esther feels a sense of foreboding. Lady Dedlock asks if Esther might send Charley ahead so they can speak alone, and Esther does so. She is then taken aback by the sight of her own handkerchief, now in the possession of Lady Dedlock. Esther remembers giving the handkerchief to Jenny. Lady Dedlock tearfully confesses the truth: She is Esther’s “wicked and unhappy mother” (526).

Lady Dedlock asks Esther to forgive her and to keep the truth a secret. She worries what might happen if Sir Leicester finds out. Though it pains her deeply, Lady Dedlock says that she can never have any contact with Esther again. Esther worries that the secret “has been very near discovery” (528), and Lady Dedlock agrees. She fears that Tulkinghorn may unveil her secret at any time. Lady Dedlock permits Esther to tell the truth to Jarndyce. She also hands Esther a letter, though Esther does not divulge its contents to the reader yet. She burns the letter after returning to Boythorn’s house and spends a fitful day sleeping and crying. Toward evening, she goes out and finds herself at the Ghost Walk. Terrified that she is the person who will cause the downfall of the Dedlock family, she flees.

A letter arrives from Ada, explaining that she will join Esther the next day. This cheers Esther somewhat. When Ada sees Esther for the first time since the sickness and reacts just as fondly as she always has.

Esther keeps Lady Dedlock’s secret, although Lady Dedlock gave her permission to speak of it to Jarndyce. While still at Boythorn’s, Esther receives a request for a meeting from the landlord of an inn named the Dedlock Arms. Esther visits the tavern and discovers Richard is there, waiting for her. He explains that he is on leave and wants to check up on the progress of the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Skimpole is with Richard and praises Richard’s interest in the case. Esther brings Richard to see Ada, though she is “not so sure” that Richard is as in love with Ada as he once was (541), fearing the case is consuming all of his attention.

Richard speaks to Esther more the following day. He talks about the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Now that he has severed his ties to Jarndyce, the case is all he has to focus on. Ada tries to encourage Richard to lessen his feverish obsession with the case, but Richard ignores her request. When Esther tries to dissuade Skimpole from encouraging Richard’s obsession, Skimpole rejects her suggestions. Later, Skimpole reveals that Richard is meeting with a “friend and legal adviser” named Mr. Vholes (551). Skimpole has been paid by Vholes for an introduction to Richard. After the meeting, Richard introduces Vholes to Ada and Esther. Vholes speaks about his family, who inspire his work. He has three young daughters, and his father is growing old. Vholes leaves with Richard, who plans to travel to London to visit the Chancery Court. When they are alone, Ada admits to Esther that she will always love Richard, even if the obsession with the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case leaves him ruined.

Once recovered, Esther goes to Bleak House and then London. She visits Caddy, who now lives with her husband and his father. Because Prince’s health is poor, Caddy has been studying to take over the instruction of some of his classes. Even Esther takes part in the dance class. After the class, Esther and Caddy visit Mr. Guppy. Esther speaks to him alone, and—seeing her new appearance—he reminds her that she rejected his offer of marriage. He has no interest in making the offer again. Esther is happy to hear this, but she mentions something he said in passing during his initial proposal: he had offered to look into her past. Esther is worried that someone may uncover the truth, so she asks Guppy to stop any investigation. Guppy agrees but seems to possess a “troubled state of mind” (565).

Mr. Vholes keeps a small office in Symond’s Inn. He is keen to maintain his reputation as a “respectable” lawyer, especially with his clients. Richard completely trusts Vholes to handle his legal affairs even though little progress is being made in his case. When Richard is walking down the street, Weevle/Jobling and Guppy spot him. Guppy mentions to Weevle/Jobling that Richard’s obsessive interest in the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case has run up a large debt. In light of Esther’s visit, Guppy says that he is no longer interested in obtaining the documents from Krook, though he wonders whether the letters might still be among Krook’s possessions; if they were, Guppy would destroy them.

Grandfather Smallweed has been visiting Krook’s shop to search through the “heap of paper fragments, print, and manuscript” (578). However, he finds nothing of interest. When Weevle/Jobling and Guppy visit the shop, they run into the old man and go to the room where Weevle/Jobling was staying. There, they see Mr. Tulkinghorn. The lawyer makes a patronizing comment about Guppy’s capacity to meet “elegant ladies.” Guppy is embarrassed. He demurs to Tulkinghorn but, to Weevle/Jobling, he admits that he recently met such a woman. However, he now wants the incident to be forgotten.

The political system in England is in a “dreadful state.” In response, Mrs. Rouncewell suspects that the Dedlocks will soon return to Chesney Wold. They bring a large retinue with them, though Lady Dedlock is ill. For several weeks, many people visit, and Sir Leicester answers their queries about the health of the country. He claims that people are angry with the government and the country has “lost its senses” (587). He mentions that he has not seen Tulkinghorn in some time and wonders whether the lawyer has taken a sabbatical. However, Tulkinghorn soon appears at Chesney Wold. Tulkinghorn reveals that amid the political chaos, the candidate Sir Leicester was backing has lost an election. Furthermore, he lost the election to the candidate Mr. Rouncewell was backing, with the help of Mr. Rouncewell’s son Watt. Sir Leicester is very angry and warns Rosa to keep her distance from Watt, though he mentions that the Rouncewells are “proud” and may reject his meddling.

Tulkinghorn tells Sir Leicester a story about a man who greatly resembles Mr. Rouncewell. This man had a daughter, Tulkinghorn explains, and the daughter was very close with a wealthy woman. Many years before, that woman had been involved in an illicit relationship that resulted in a child. After her lover’s death, the woman kept her secret for many years but eventually made a mistake. When the secret was revealed, her reputation was ruined, and the father of the favored daughter forbade his daughter from speaking to the wealthy woman. While Tulkinghorn tells this story, Lady Dedlock sits still. He casually asks her to forgive the “painful nature” of the story.