Our Mutual Friend

The Boffins inherit a fortune when John Harmon, the only son and heir of their old employer, apparently drowns. Bella Wilfer, his wife-to-be by terms of old Harmon's will, goes into mourning though she has never met her fiancé. The Boffins hire a very capable but mysterious young man as secretary, John Rokesmith, whose keen interest in Bella holds the secret to his true identity.

Self-righteous schoolmaster Bradley Headstone approaches Lizzie Hexham through her brother Charley. While Eugene Wrayburn has lost none of his fascination for her. And what exactly is it that draws the enigmatic John Rokesmith towards Bella?

Bella reveals her true nature to John. Meanwhile, Mr Boffin becomes a miser. Eugene Wrayburn tries to track down Lizzie Hexham, and he goads the self-destructive Bradley Headstone to breaking point with disastrous consequences.

Following the vicious attack on him, Eugene determines to marry Lizzie. Bella discovers her husband's true identity and even Mr Venus finds his just reward. While Headstone and Riderhood fight each other on the banks of the River Thames.