"Our Mutual Friend" picspam - Bella & John, Part II
Hope! A glimmer of hope - you can see it in John's face. Bella's true character shines through.
Bella: Will you be joining us, Mr Rokesmith?
Mr Boffin will not allow it. But the glance behind! She cares.
See? She is concerned at how Mr Boffin is treating John, comparing him to a sheep at market...
Bella: You think well of [Lizzie Hexam], Mr Rokesmith? ... There is something refined in her beauty, is there not?
John: She is very striking...
Ah! Is this jealousy I detect? So it is very subtle to almost non-existent, but still - I find it amusing. Bella: Oh, Mr Rokesmith. Please do not be so hard on me. Don't be so stern! I wish to talk to you on equal terms.
John: I was forcing myself to be constrained as required by our agreement. But there - Let's go on.
Bella: Thank you.
He smiles! He really smiles! And the hand holding! So adorable.
Bella: Mr Rokesmith, it seems so long since we've spoken to each other naturally. I'm embarrassed to bring up another subject. It's Mr Boffin... You see, I've been watching Mr Boffin these past few weeks.
John: You? Watching? Surely not!
The smiles and the teasing... John really is wonderful once he gets past the stalker thing. And the way he looks at Bella as she talks about how Mr Boffin is becoming spoilt by his fortune... You can see it in his eyes that he's not thinking of Mr Boffin at all. Bella: And I've seen the way he treats you and it gives me pain because I cannot bear it to be thought that I approve of it!
John: Miss Wilfer, if you could know with what delight I see that fortune is not spoiling you!
Bella is taking great notice of John! (She's seen how he represses himself to Mr Boffin.) And he's so happy.
Bella: I wish you could make a friend of me, Lizzie. I've no more character than a canary bird, but I know I am trustworthy. So tell me - me do you live like this?
Lizzie: You must have many lovers.
Bella: Me? No, not one.
Lizzie: Not one?
Bella: Well perhaps one. I did have one. Perhaps half of one.
They're so cute. It's too bad they aren't together more in this series.
Then Lizzie ends up telling Bella about Eugene and how much she loves him - and even though there's no gain, and she doesn't hope of marrying him, she is still glad to love him. You can just see it in Bella's teary eyes that she's seeing a side of John - that he probably felt the same way. And she spurned him. It's like Bella is hearing John's proposal all over again - and she sees its true value.
John: [In a mocking tone] You look rather serious, Miss Wilfer.
Bella: I feel rather serious. Would you believe, Mr Rokesmith, I feel that - that I've passed whole years today... I feel that much has happened to myself.
John: For the good, I hope. You're cold. You're trembling. [Takes off his jacket and puts it around her shoulders]
Bella: [Takes John's arm] What a beautiful sky. And what a glorious evening!
I think this is easily one of the cutest scenes ever. They're both so smiley and happy and it's like the beginning of the happily-ever-after John and Bella. And the jacket! And the hand holding! And the running to catch the train. Did I mention the grins?
Meanwhile, Mr Boffins' behaviour is getting worse and worse, and it distresses Bella to see John so unhappy.
John: My interest for Miss Wilfer began the moment I saw her, even before... I have borne my position here that I may not be separated from Miss Wilfer. And since she rejected me I have not urged my suit with one syllable or look. But my devotion to her has not changed except that now it is deeper and better founded. My feeling for Miss Wilfer is not one to be ashamed of. I love her. And when I leave her in this house I go into a blank life.
John: Miss Wilfer, goodbye.
Bella: Oh, God make me poor again! Someone, I beg, or my heart will break! Don't give me money, Mr Boffin, I don't want money! Mr Rokesmith, I'm deeply sorry for the reproaches you have borne on my account. I earnestly and truly beg your pardon. The only fault you should admit to is that you made yourself open to be slighted by a worldly, shallow girl whose head was turned and was quite unable to rise to what you offered.
John: [Takes her hand and kisses it]
Bella: You vicious old thing! [Rokesmith] is worth a million of you. I must go home for good.
John: My dear girl! [Hugs Bella] My gallant, courageous and noble Bella. You are my love?
Bella: Well I suppose I am if you think me worth taking.
There are no words. It's just too ridiculously adorable.
Lady Tippins: To lose the ward and the secretary in one afternoon! That is extremely imprudent of Mr Boffins. What is worse - Miss Bella and the Rokesmith fellow have run off together!
Mortimer: I hardly see how I can be to blame. When two people are inclined to run off with one another, a lawyer's the last person to prevent it.
John: Is there something wrong, my love?
Bella: No, nothing... I was wondering -
John: Yes?
Bella: Well, if one day I might go with you to the china house?
John: I'm afraid you find my office life in the city very boring.
Bella: No, it's just - I watch you pick up your briefcase in the mornings. I do not know where you go or what you do with whatever is in that important-looking place.
John: Are you bored, Bella?
Bella: No, of course not. Our own dear house. There's so much to do, how could I be?
John: But you are not regretting it? Hmm? Having married no money at all - absolutely no future whatsoever?
Bella: [Smiling] You must not tease me! It's clear I'm being tested in some way. [Turning serious] But you will not break me. No you won't.
These are my favourite shots. I love the glowing and the colour... And Bella and John are very pretty - such a cute banter they have, too.
I don't think Bella's regretting anything - I just think she feels that John is hiding something from her. Which is justifiable, considering that he is hiding something!
Bella: John dear? You will come with me to see Lizzie Hexam married?
John: No I cannot. You must go... Forgive me. Bella, my life... Don't you remember telling me you felt you were being tested in some way? Well I think the time will be coming when you will be tested. But for now, trust me, please.
And she does completely. No matter how odd or suspicious, Bella stands by John, though Mortimer finds it strange that he has never met Mr Rokesmith...
John: And how was Lizzie, my love?
Bella: Suffering in almost unbearable happiness.
And then Mortimer accidently sees John - and Bella finds out that her husband is closely and suspiciously related to the Harmon murder.
Bella: [Waking up from a nightmare] John Harmon is dead!
John: What is it, my dear?
Bella: John Harmon is drowned.
I think John's charade is unravelling rather quickly! And on an entirely different note, I love how John always calls her "my love" or "my dear" or "my life" - so cute.
Bella: I have something to tell you. You're not the only one with a secret. Only I'm ready to tell you mine.
GAH! So cute. Words are unnecessary and they're both so happy!
Bella: John! What's happening?
John: Nothing can harm us, remember. Don't distress yourself. [He kisses her] I'll be back by morning.
That's quite a strain on trust! Plus I wouldn't think he'd want to worry her so much considering her new condition.
John: I must ask you this, Bella - you've become fond of this cottage.
Bella: Well of course I have - it's our life together.
John: I'm afraid we have to leave, my dear. My new position has a dwelling house attached, rent-free.
Bella: John. Do you consider this a game, my dear?
John: Yes, I do!
Bella: And what about the baby? Will there be room in the house for the baby?
John: There will I'm sure be room for us all. But why should you take this on trust? We will go and look at it this morning.
And the suspense continues! He takes her to the Boffins' residence? Which results in Bella fainting like a good Victorian heroine.
Mrs Boffin: Bella, my dear. Tell me who this is.
Bella: Well, my husband of course.
Mrs Boffin: Oh my. His name, dearie.
Bella: Rokesmith.
Mrs Boffin: No, it ain't. Not a bit of it.
Bella: Well, Hanford then.
Mrs Boffin: No, it ain't. Not a bit of it.
Bella: His name is John?
Mrs Boffin: I should hope so, dearie! ...
Bella: John Harmon?! But that's not possible - he is drowned!
John: Forgive me, my darling. I was drowned, or as good as... I had nothing left to live for. I had nothing to lose by trying you out. And when I did I found I had the most worthy of wives. And then this new life growing within you. So when I did miraculously have everything I was afraid to lose it and determined to hold fast to it.
John: Can you forgive me? We might still be in Blackheath had it not been for Mrs Boffin and our friend the inspector.
[Bella smiles and kisses him]
I think Bella forgives John a little too easily, and accepts everything so quickly - but it's all so sweet. I love this moment by the window!
*swoon* There they are, the proper Harmons - Mr, Mrs, and baby. I think the late Mr Harmon had somthing with that will!
- Caps by tempest_icons ( here) and wikidwitch ( here).
One of my favourite things about Bella and John is that we get to see them as a married couple. It makes my fangirl heart happy.
And not to be forgotten:
Click to viewMissed part one?