Wed, Nov 23, 2005
Intimidated by Mr. Tulkinghorn to provide a sample of Capt. Hawdon's handwriting, Sgt. George has decided to submit, this time. With the writing sample, Tulkinghorn is satisfied that Nemo and Hawdon are the same person. Tulkinghorn reneges on his promise to clear George's debts however. Esther, with her scars from smallpox, is now convinced that Mr. Woodcort is beyond her reach. Going through Krook's personal effects, Smallweed learns from Guppy of the existence of the letters. Jarndyce, Ada and Esther again visit Mr. Boythorn who tells them of the ghost walk at the Dedlock estate. There Lady Dedlock tells Esther the identity of her mother.
Wed, Dec 14, 2005
Sergeant George is released by detective Bucket, who is on lady Dedlock's trail. Guppy fails to acquire her compromising letters as Smallwood expects to get more money from sir Leicester and is just too late to warn her. She flees in utter despair, to be found broken down in closed-up Bleak house, while the baronet is near a fatal cardiac crisis. Parasite Skimpole is now full-time besides Richard and his lawyer, Jardnyce refuses to intervene or let Esther.
Thu, Dec 15, 2005
Richard Carstone finally tires of the exhausting court case,which undermines his health as well as his finances. Ultimately, a most recent Jarndyce last will is found at Smallweed's by detective Bucket, which decides the Chancery case in Richard's favor, with a bitter aftertaste: expenses have eaten up the entire estate. John Jarndyce welcomes Rick home, but it's only to die. Guppy's renewed proposal to Esther, now he has his own legal practice, is equally politely rejected. Even DR. Allan Woodcourt's declaration of love, now he can get a lucrative position in the north, is tearfully turned down as Esther feels obliged to honor her promise to wed her guardian, but he relieves her of that.
Wed, Nov 30, 2005
Tulkinghorn now has Lady Dedlock in his grasp but his hardheartedness is beginning to catch up with him. Miss Flite returns to her lodgings to find that Smallweed has changed the locks on her rooms. He throws her out for non-payment of rent. Esther seeks Guppy's help but he is repulsed by her scarred face. She wants him to stop all inquiries into her background and he agrees. Esther learns the identity of the woman who raised her. John Jarndyce asks Esther to marry him and she agrees. He immediately has second thoughts. Richard Carstone is being crushed by his growing debts.Sgt. George learns that his debts are being called in.
Thu, Dec 1, 2005
Richard is deep in debt and through with the Army. Ada offers him her inheritance to cover his debts, but he decides to leave service and devote himself to the trial full-time. Doctor Allan Woodcourt is back, still penniless having suffered shipwreck. He arrives too late to save gentle urchin Jo, who dies from pneumonia but first denounces Tulkinghorn as the monster who had the knave persecuted. This time bloody vengeance is exacted.
Thu, Dec 8, 2005
Hortense Jabouliet, jailed sergeant George's mother and lady Deadlock maneuver about the truth concerning Tulkinghorn's murder. Detective Bucket is most interested to find the traces lead to the lady, but switches his accusation from George to Hortense. Meanwhile Richard and the doctor try to settle in their misfortune.
Thu, Nov 10, 2005
Mr. Tulkinghorn is nearing the truth about Nemo alias Captain Hawdon, but shooting stand-running veterans Phil Squod and Sergeant George refuse to sell their pieces of the puzzle. Searching for beloved Esther's background with Krook, Guppy stumbles unto her links to the present Lady Dedlock, whom he visits to inform her, to Nemo -Esther's real father- and probably the Jarndyce claims. A London epidemic is spreading, and through Nemo's urchin protege Jo reaches John Jarndyce's home.
Wed, Nov 16, 2005
Guppy finds alcohol addict Krook, burned to death in gin, which the coroner's court rules 'spontaneous combustion'. Guppy thus fails to get hold of Nemo's love letters, nor to ascertain if they were burned or are part of the estate, which is claimed by Smallweed, engaging Tulkinhorn, who now manages to make sergeant George show him Hawdon's letters. Richard decides to engage his own lawyer in the Jardnyce inheritance case. Esther Summerson's reckless amateur nursing of urchin Joe and others ends in her own contagion with often fatal pox.
Thu, Nov 24, 2005
Esther keeps her secret refusing to tell Ada what happened with Lady Dedlock. Richard Carstone returns and admits he is unsettled by the never ending court case. Richard has decided to rely on Mr. Skimpole's advice and seek his own legal counsel in the form of Mr. Vholes, but expenses prove quite high. Ada thinks he should give up any hope of winning and they should just be happy. Smallweed finds the packet of letters addressed to Capt. Hawdon. Tulkinghorn buys them from him and subtly lets Lady Dedlock know he is aware of her secret. Jarndyce confides in Boythorm telling him of his plan to marry Esther.
Wed, Nov 9, 2005
With information from the boy Jo, Tulkinghorn now knows that it was Lady Dedlock who visited Nemo's lodgings. Tulkinghorn continues his inquiries and believes he mat know Nemo's real name. Richard has decided to abandon his studies in the law and travels to Lincolnshire where he informs everyone that he now intends to purchase a commission in the army. He begins to take lessons in swordsmanship from a former army Sergeant by the name of George. Tulkinghorn swears out a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Gridley on a charge of slander. Inspector Bucket tracks him down.