Our Mutual Friend

John, Bella, and Sloppy turn up for Betty’s small funeral. As Bella and John talk, they realize that the Boffins have both urged them to learn more about Lizzie. Both John and Bella admire Lizzie, and John wants to know why she wishes to keep her location a secret, suspecting that the accusation against her father may still be an issue. John asks Bella to investigate and Bella agrees, mentioning how much she dislikes Boffin’s treatment of him. John assures her that he endures this suffering for a good reason.

Bella talks to Lizzie and explains her own connection to the Harmon case. Lizzie insists that her desire for secrecy has nothing to do with the false accusation against her father. Rather, she is hiding from Headstone after their confrontation. She is concerned that he might hurt the person she loves. Eugene, she says, is “far above” her in the social order. Because of this, she knows that he could never marry her. Lizzie’s selfless love impresses Bella, but she also suggests that she needs to abandon her love for Eugene and return to her life. After leaving, Bella assures John that Lizzie’s secrecy is not connected to the accusation.