Our Mutual Friend

A body pulled from the Thames is identified as young John Harmon, heir to a fortune made in dust-contracting. Bella Wilfer, his wife-to-be by terms of old Harmon's will, goes into mourning though she has never met her fiancé.

Bella gladly joins the Boffins in their expensive new home and so does the mysterious John Rokesmith. Meanwhile, the evil Rogue Riderhood accuses Gaffer Hexam of John Harmon's murder; and Lizzie, his beautiful daughter has attracted a number of admirers.

Bradley Headstone is obsessed with Lizzie, leading him to confront Eugene. The tensions between Rokesmith and Bella erupt in an argument. While Wegg and Venus join forces in a plot to relieve Mr Boffin of his fortune and Lizzie disappears without a trace.

Bella watches as Mr Boffin undergoes a change of character, becoming bad-tempered, taking pleasure in humiliating Rokesmith at every opportunity. Meanwhile Eugene is looking for Lizzie while Headstone follows Eugene in the hope of finding him with her.