Bleak House

Esther Summerson, brought up as an orphan, is summoned to London by her guardian's solicitors. She meets the Wards of Court in the Jarndyce versus Jarndyce case and also becomes acquainted with her guardian for the first time - the philanthropist John Jarndyce.

The mysterious law-writer, Nemo, is found dead in his lodgings. Lady Deadlock takes an interest in his identity and her lawyer, Turkinghorn, begins investigating. Esther is entrusted with the running of Bleak House by her guardian, John Jarndyce.

Lady Dedlock's interest in the dead law-writer begins to wane. She instructs Tulkinghorn to cease enquiries - but he remains curious. Guppy proposes to Esther but she firmly rejects him. After attending a court hearing, Miss Flite collapses.

Richard's intended engagement to Ada has perturbed Jarndyce, who considers it hasty, and they argue. Jarndyce, Esther and Ada visit Boythorn in Lincolnshire and meet Lady Dedlock.

The moneylender, Smallweed, presses George for documents in Captain Hawdon's handwriting. Jo is questioned in Tulkinghorn's rooms about the 'lady' he showed around London. Guppy visits Lady Dedlock and makes it plain that he has access to personal letters sent by her to Hawdon.

Krook perishes as a result of spontaneous combustion. His property is inherited by the moneylender, Smallweed. After caring for Jo, the crossing sweeper, Esther, becomes ill and it is soon apparent that she has smallpox.

Esther, although severely scarred, has recovered from smallpox. She encounters Lady Dedlock who confesses that she is her mother. Jo is found desperately ill and living rough. Then there is an unpleasant discovery in the rooms of the lawyer, Tulkinghorn.

Lady Dedlock dies on the steps of the burial ground where her lover, Hawdon, was anonymously interred. Richard, now married to Ada, continues to pursue the legal case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce with an obsession that concerns everyone.