Summary

Mr. Jarndyce promises to assist Esther and her mother in every way possible. He agrees that Tulkinghorn is a dangerous person. In the same conversation, Mr. Jarndyce tells Esther that one week later she should send Charley to his room for a letter, which he will have written by then.

The letter turns out to be a marriage proposal. Esther feels blessed to be chosen as the mistress of Bleak House. During the next several days, she expects Mr. Jarndyce to bring up the subject of the letter, but as he does not, she (a week after the proposal) takes the initiative and gives him the answer he has hoped for.

Analysis

Dickens and his readers seemed never to tire of doting upon the virtues of “good” characters like Esther and Mr. Jarndyce. Of romance or physical attraction, nothing is said here.