My Pleasure Reading. Summary №5

Chapters 33 - 40

In London, David and Peggotty come across Mr. Murdstone, who is getting a new marriage license. Moreover, visiting Dora’s friend, David declares his love for Dora. He also buys her an engagement ring and they establish a secret love affair and hide it from her father.

Having returned to his apartment, David is shocked to see Betsey and Mr. Dick with all their belongings there. Betsey tells David that she is financially ruined, and has rented out her cottage. David tells Miss Betsey about his love for Dora, however, he thinks that he should break off their relations because of his poverty. Consequently, he meets Agnes who informs him that Uriah and her father are now partners that her father's house is completely changed, and that Uriah and his mother now live with them. Speaking about Miss Betsey’s financial situation, Agnes suggests that David can work as a private secretary to Dr. Strong, who has retired from the school and now lives in London. Moreover, Mr. Micawber has found work as Uriah’s clerk in Canterbury. While David is concerned and suspicious of Heep, he is happy for the Micawbers and wishes them well.

Besides, David meets Dora, tells her about his new financial position and realizes that she will not be able to help and accept any changes to her lifestyle. David leaves her with determination to work harder to make sure that he can provide her with the life she requires. One day, having learned about his daughter’s love affair with David, Mr. Spenlow demands that David should break off the relationship immediately, which David refuses to do. He also says that Dora will be disinherited from her fortune if she continues her relationship with David. However, the next day David learns that Mr. Spenlow has been found dead on the road, having fallen out of a carriage. David is shocked to discover that Mr. Spenlow did not leave a will, but only debts. Dora is left with a small income and goes to lives with her aunts.

David goes to Canterbury to visit Agnes at Mr. Wickfield's house. There, he finds that Uriah and his mother are now in charge of the house and Mr. Micawber is working as Uriah's clerk. Mr. Micawber is renting Uriah's old house from him. David tells about his problems with Dora, and Agnes advises him to write to Dora's aunts and ask permission to visit her. Uriah gets Mr. Wickfield drunk, and declares that he loves Agnes and wants to marry her. David tells Agnes not to sacrifice herself for her father's sake by marrying Uriah. She only says that David need not fear for her.

Arriving home, David tells his aunt about the trouble with the Wickfields. On his way home from work one night, he meets Mr. Peggotty who tells him about his search for Em’ly. Mr. Peggotty also reports that Ham has lost care for his own life and is putting himself forward for many dangerous tasks at sea.