Chapter 33: Blissful

David is deeply in love with Dora. She feels like a shining light in his life, helping him forget even the pain of losing his friendship with Steerforth. He’s so taken by her that he walks past her house at night, blowing kisses at her windows and imagining she’s almost magical. He tells Peggotty about his love, and she’s thrilled, though she doesn’t understand his worries. She simply says Dora is lucky to have him.

At work, David looks down on the boring lawyers around him—they could never feel what he feels for Dora. He takes Peggotty out to see London, but she isn’t too impressed. Even St. Paul’s Cathedral doesn’t beat her old sewing box.

One day at the office, Mr. Spenlow walks in with Mr. Murdstone. Peggotty instantly blames Murdstone for all the pain in her life, but David gently holds her back. Mr. Spenlow then invites David to Dora’s birthday picnic, and David gets excited. He buys fancy boots, packs a food basket, and rents a horse.

At the picnic, Dora looks beautiful. David is over the moon, though he gets jealous of a man with red whiskers who also likes Dora. But when Dora sings just for David, his heart is full. With help from Dora’s friend Miss Mills, they finally share their feelings and secretly get engaged. David is happier than ever, lost in a world of love and dreams, though they keep the news from Mr. Spenlow.

Chapter 34: My Aunt Astonishes Me

David writes a heartfelt letter to Agnes, telling her about his engagement. Just thinking about her kindness calms him. Then Traddles visits—he’s happy to see David and shares that he loves a kind girl named Sophy, who looks after her large family in Devonshire.

Mrs. Crupp, the landlady, is annoyed by Peggotty and quits cleaning David’s rooms, even setting traps on the stairs. At home, David is surprised to find his Aunt Betsey and Mr. Dick. They’ve come to London because Aunt Betsey lost all her money in a bad investment.

Even though she’s lost everything, Aunt Betsey stays strong. She plans to rent out her house in Dover and live nearby on a small budget. Agnes visits and suggests David work as a secretary for their old teacher, Doctor Strong, who’s now living in London. David likes the idea and writes to the Doctor immediately.

Betsey is calm and even ready to take on Mrs. Crupp if needed. Later, Mr. Wickfield and Uriah Heep come to visit. David is shocked to see how much Wickfield depends on Uriah. Agnes stays strong, comforting her father, but David is upset to see how Uriah is now controlling everything. He feels sad but also more determined than ever to help.

Chapter 35: Depression

David feels down after learning that Aunt Betsey has lost her money, but he decides to work hard and help her in return for all the kindness she gave him. He takes Mr. Dick along to keep his mind busy.

David visits Doctor Strong in Highgate, who greets him warmly and offers him the job as a secretary for his dictionary project. David will earn seventy pounds a year and receive small gifts too. He starts work the next day, though he finds Jack Maldon, who also helps, to be lazy and annoying. Annie, Doctor Strong’s wife, refuses to go to the opera with Maldon and prefers to spend time with Agnes, which David respects—he senses Annie isn’t happy with Maldon.

David throws himself into work. He cuts back on luxuries and plans to tell Dora about his new, simpler life. Traddles suggests David also learn shorthand so he can become a reporter—a hard skill, but David’s willing to try if it brings him closer to marrying Dora.

Mr. Dick struggles with his writing, so David helps him earn money by copying legal documents. When he earns ten shillings, he’s overjoyed, and his happiness warms David’s heart. Then Mr. Micawber writes a dramatic letter about a new job in Canterbury. He invites David and Traddles to a farewell party. With Aunt Betsey’s quiet courage and Agnes’s steady support, David begins to feel hopeful again.

Chapter 36: Enthusiasm

David heads to Highgate full of energy and new goals. He’s put his old lazy ways behind him and is ready to work hard to win Dora’s hand. On the way, he sees Rosa Dartle angrily pacing near Steerforth’s closed-up house. Her rage makes him uneasy.

At Doctor Strong’s, David gets started on the Dictionary project. Though Maldon’s messy work is frustrating, David enjoys the Doctor’s trust and respect.

Later, at Traddles’s place, David learns that becoming a court reporter with shorthand will take a lot of practice—possibly years—but he’s determined to master it. Mr. Dick is thriving, happily copying legal work and forgetting his troubles about King Charles. His pride in earning money spreads joy to everyone.

The Micawbers throw a goodbye party before moving to Canterbury, where Mr. Micawber will now work as a clerk for Uriah Heep—a surprise that shocks David. Even though their small home is packed and chaotic, Mrs. Micawber stands strong beside her husband, proud of him. Micawber gives Traddles an I.O.U., which lifts his spirits.

The evening is filled with laughter and hope. David feels inspired by their courage and excited about the future. He’s fired up and ready to build a better life—step by step—to be worthy of Dora.

Chapter 37: A Little Cold Water

David throws himself into his work, walking fast everywhere and pushing himself hard, all to prove his love for Dora. He even thinks about eating just vegetables to show his dedication. At home, Aunt Betsey has scared off Mrs. Crupp, the landlady, while Mr. Dick is happy copying documents. Peggotty gets ready to leave for Yarmouth to help Ham and gives David some money with tears in her eyes.

That Saturday, David visits Dora at Miss Mills’s house for tea. He’s full of love and excitement. But when he tells Dora he’s now poor, she panics. She imagines him begging on the street with crutches or a wooden leg. She bursts into tears and calls for Julia Mills, leaving David confused and upset. He kneels beside her and tries to explain—he’s working hard to build a life for them and wants to live simply. Dora hugs him, still scared, and says her dog Jip must have his daily mutton chops. David finds her adorable, but deep down, he’s worried—she doesn’t seem ready for a serious, practical life.

Chapter 38: A Dissolution of Partnership

David throws himself into learning shorthand so he can report on government debates. But it’s hard—he dreams about all the dots and lines and wakes up confused. Dora keeps him going, giving him a reason to keep trying. Traddles helps by pretending to be a speaker, turning their evenings into fun, fake debates with Aunt Betsey and Mr. Dick as their audience. At first, David’s notes make no sense, but he keeps starting over, determined to succeed.

One day, Mr. Spenlow calls David to the coffeehouse. There, David is shocked to see Miss Murdstone. She’s found David’s love letters to Dora—thanks to Jip—and tells Mr. Spenlow everything. Mr. Spenlow is furious. He orders David to break off the engagement and burn the letters. David refuses. His love for Dora is stronger than anything, but he asks for a week to think. That night, upset, he visits Miss Mills, who talks dramatically about broken hearts. Suddenly, shocking news arrives: Mr. Spenlow has died, found dead on the road. David is stunned and heartbroken.

Chapter 39: Wickfield and Heep

David goes to Canterbury to see Agnes. Her calm presence gives him peace after all the chaos. He opens up to her about his fears and confusion. Agnes, always wise, suggests that David write honestly to Dora’s aunts, asking to stay engaged. He agrees, realizing it’s the right thing to do.

At Mr. Wickfield’s house, David sees Uriah Heep’s influence growing. Uriah has a new office, fake manners, and his creepy mother knitting quietly nearby. Mr. Wickfield is clearly struggling, and Uriah keeps acting like he owns the place. During dinner, Uriah raises a toast to Agnes, hinting at his interest in her. Mr. Wickfield loses his temper, and David tries to calm him down, but Uriah’s smug control is unsettling.

Later, while walking, Uriah starts questioning David about Agnes, trying to figure out if David has feelings for her. David insists he’s engaged to Dora. Uriah brags about how far he’s come with his “umble” behavior, but there’s a nasty tone beneath his words. Agnes stays strong, comforting her father and saying goodbye to David like a sister. David leaves, confused—he admires Agnes, loves Dora, and feels uneasy about Uriah’s growing power.

Chapter 40: The Wanderer

David and Aunt Betsey talk about Mr. Spenlow’s death and Dora’s uncertain future. Aunt Betsey walks nervously while David writes a letter to Dora’s aunts. One cold snowy night, while walking home, David sees a sad figure—it’s Martha. He follows her and unexpectedly runs into Mr. Peggotty by a church wall. He looks worn out from searching for Emily.

Over drinks at an inn, Mr. Peggotty tells David about his journey—he’s been through France, Italy, even the mountains in Switzerland, chasing rumors of Emily and Steerforth. He still believes Emily would return if he found her. Martha listens from the doorway, desperate to help. Mr. Peggotty shows David some letters Emily sent. She’s ashamed, asking for forgiveness and sending money for her uncle. She believes she’s cursed, but Mr. Peggotty is determined to bring her home.

Ham, meanwhile, is brave but deeply hurt, throwing himself into dangerous work. Mr. Peggotty plans to go to a town near the Rhine River next, worried he might die before he can repay Steerforth’s money. He and David part ways in the snow, Mr. Peggotty full of resolve. As David walks away, he’s haunted by the image of Martha fading into the stormy night.

Chapter 41: Dora’s Aunts

David gets a letter from Dora’s two aunts—Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa—agreeing to meet him to talk about his love for Dora. He’s nervous and asks Traddles to go with him. David worries about how he looks, and Traddles’s messy hair doesn’t help. The aunts are proper and fussy, and they ask David serious questions about his feelings. They talk about a past suitor, Mr. Pidger, and their brother Francis, who has died. David speaks from the heart, saying how much he loves Dora. Traddles supports him and also talks about his own troubles with Sophy’s family.

The aunts say David can visit Dora—but with rules. He can’t get engaged to her yet. Visits must be at their house: Sunday dinners and tea twice a week. No secret meetings allowed. David is thrilled just to see Dora. When he gets a moment alone, he finds Dora hiding, nervous around Traddles but happy to see David. She begs him not to bring his Aunt Betsey next time, calling her a troublemaker. David doesn’t argue—he’s too in love. The visit ends with hope, and David and Traddles walk home, David full of joy. Later, Aunt Betsey meets Dora’s aunts, and though they’re all a bit odd, things go smoothly—except for Dora’s dog Jip growling a lot.

Chapter 42: Mischief

David focuses hard on learning shorthand and feels proud of his progress. He says Agnes’s advice gave him the push he needed. Agnes and her father visit Dr. Strong to cheer him up, while Uriah Heep secretly moves his mother nearby and takes more control. On a walk with David, Uriah hints that he’s jealous of Agnes and suddenly accuses Mrs. Strong of being too close to Jack Maldon. David is shocked—he doesn’t want the kind Doctor hurt. Uriah seems pleased with himself, twisting things to make Mrs. Strong look bad and suggesting she’s pushing Agnes to find a richer match.

David hides how upset he is, but Uriah’s words stick with him. Later, David brings Agnes to meet Dora. He’s nervous, but it goes well. Dora is shy and worried that Agnes is too smart for her, but they get along over tea. Agnes is kind and gentle, and Dora warms up to her quickly. Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa enjoy seeing the young couple so happy. Dora says she misses her friend Julia Mills. That night, Dora kisses David goodbye and wonders if being around someone like Agnes might’ve made her wiser. David just adores her even more for being herself.

Chapter 43: Another Retrospect

David looks back and realizes how fast time has passed—walks with Dora went from sunny days to snowy ones in what felt like a blink. Now 21, he’s doing well as a shorthand writer, reporting speeches in Parliament. He also secretly writes stories and is getting paid for them. His writing helps him earn more money. Traddles tries shorthand too but doesn’t enjoy it, so he switches to studying law. David moves into a cottage near Dora’s aunts, and Aunt Betsey starts fixing up a small house next door for herself, clearly expecting a wedding soon.

Dora’s aunts finally agree to the marriage. Everything gets busy. Miss Lavinia takes charge of Dora’s wedding clothes, Peggotty cleans and prepares everything, and Traddles gets the marriage license. David feels like he’s dreaming. He and Dora visit their new home, which is cheerful and full of flowers. The day before the wedding, Dora tries on her dress, and David can hardly believe how lucky he is. On the big day, Aunt Betsey, Traddles, Agnes, and Sophy all attend. Dora, nervous but sweet, says “I do.” After tears and laughter, David leaves with his new wife, finally believing it’s all real.

Chapter 44: Our Housekeeping

David and Dora begin married life in their cozy cottage. He’s thrilled to have her there, even when she wears paper curls in her hair. But keeping the house running is a mess. Their maid, Mary Anne Paragon, is terrible—she gets drunk, loses things, and brings her loud cousin into the kitchen. Dora is too scared to tell her off, and one night when dinner is late again, David asks her to step up. Dora bursts into tears, calling him cruel. He feels awful. Aunt Betsey tells him Dora is delicate and needs love and care. They make up and promise not to fight.

But the housework problems don’t stop. Every servant they hire either quits, breaks things, or steals. The food sellers cheat them. When Traddles visits, dinner is a disaster—unopened oysters and their dog Jip jumping on the table—but Dora’s charm makes the evening fun anyway. Dora tries keeping a budget but ends up doodling flowers in her account book. David keeps his worries to himself. He calls her his “child-wife” and loves her deeply, even if she isn’t practical. Still, part of him quietly wishes she had a little more strength to help manage their life.

Chapter 45: Mr. Dick Fulfils My Aunt’s Predictions

David often visits Dr. Strong’s home, where Mrs. Markleham—nicknamed the “Old Soldier”—is always buzzing around. She acts like she’s helping her daughter Annie, but really just wants excitement. Without meaning to, she makes Dr. Strong feel like he’s holding Annie back. David’s aunt, Betsey, doesn’t trust their marriage and is annoyed by Mrs. Markleham’s meddling. She believes Mr. Dick, though seen as simple, might be the one to help.

One evening, Mr. Dick quietly talks to David, saying he knows something is wrong between Dr. Strong and Annie. Though he calls himself “not clever,” he wants to help because people overlook him, so he can do things others can’t. Weeks pass with no news. Then one evening, David and his aunt visit Dr. Strong and find Annie there with Mr. Dick. Mrs. Markleham barges in, shocked to learn Dr. Strong is writing his will and leaving everything to Annie.

Emotions run high. Annie begs for honesty about what’s come between them. David explains how Uriah Heep once accused her of being too close to Jack Maldon. Annie admits she once had feelings for Jack but says she truly loves Dr. Strong and always has. With the truth out, they reconcile—thanks to Mr. Dick’s quiet plan. His gentle help proves Aunt Betsey was right to trust him.

Chapter 46: Intelligence

About a year into David’s marriage, his writing career is going well. One day, he walks past Mrs. Steerforth’s dark, silent house. A maid calls him in to speak with Miss Dartle, who coldly greets him in the garden. She questions him about Emily, then cruelly suggests she hopes Emily is dead. David is shocked. Just then, Littimer—Steerforth’s former servant—arrives and tells his side of the story.

He explains that he, Steerforth, and Emily traveled around Europe. People admired Emily, but she grew unhappy. In Naples, Steerforth left her, offering to marry her off to Littimer instead. Emily refused, disgusted, and ran away. David is furious and thinks Littimer might have hidden letters from home, but Littimer avoids answering. Miss Dartle tells David not to feel sorry for Emily and hints that Steerforth and his mother have drifted apart.

Later, David tells Mr. Peggotty what he learned. Though heartbroken, Mr. Peggotty remains determined to find Emily. While walking through the city, they see a sad-looking woman—Martha—and secretly follow her. David hopes she may help them, since she once knew Emily and seems to carry pain of her own.

Chapter 47: Martha

David and Mr. Peggotty quietly follow Martha through the dirty streets of Westminster. She walks to a lonely spot near the river and stares into the water, clearly in distress. She cries out, saying she’s like the polluted river, and it sounds like she wants to end her life. Fearing she might jump, David calls out to her. With Mr. Peggotty’s help, they stop her just in time. She breaks down, crying over her ruined life.

Martha says she’s fallen far, but swears she never hurt Emily. She remembers how kind Emily was to her and feels deep shame. Mr. Peggotty’s love for Emily touches her, and despite feeling unworthy, she promises to help. She offers to find Emily and keep her safe until she can bring her back. David and Mr. Peggotty trust her, giving her their addresses, but Martha refuses money—she wants to help on her own terms.

Martha walks away alone, her tired face showing years of pain. David and Mr. Peggotty feel hopeful. That night, when David returns home, he finds a surprise—his aunt’s long-lost husband has returned, demanding money and bringing up painful memories from her past.

Chapter 48: Domestic

David’s writing career takes off, and he happily quits his boring job in Parliament reporting. But at home, life with Dora is messy. They stop trying to keep house and hire a cheeky young page boy who causes trouble—he fights with the cook and steals Dora’s gold watch. David catches him lying, then finds out the boy used the money for carriage rides. Eventually, he gets caught and sent away.

David tries to talk to Dora about how their careless habits affect others, but she takes it the wrong way and cries, thinking he’s blaming her. He tries to teach her by reading Shakespeare and giving advice, but she doesn’t understand and dreads the lessons. Even Traddles tries to help, but nothing changes. David realizes he can’t change Dora. He gives up trying and instead spoils her with gifts, calling her his “child-wife.” Still, he feels something is missing—he loves her, but their bond isn’t deep.

Dora’s health begins to fade. She grows weaker over time, and they lose hope of having a child. One evening, David sits beside her and feels an ache inside, sensing she’s slipping away from him like a fading flower.