Bleak House: Chapter 41 Summary & Analysis

Mr. Tulkinghorn returns to his rooms and is very pleased with himself. Not long after, Lady Dedlock arrives and confronts the lawyer. She asks him how long he has known her story and if it is true that her secret is known among common people. Mr. Tulkinghorn is impressed by her poise and the lack of emotion despite her inner turmoil.

Mr. Tulkinghorn tells Lady Dedlock that his story was hypothetical, but Lady Dedlock thanks him because she is now prepared to be exposed. She says that, if he wants, she will write a confession or do anything else she can to persuade Mr. Tulkinghorn to keep her secret or to spare her husband’s feelings. Mr. Tulkinghorn tells her to be calm, but Lady Dedlock says that she fully expects to be punished.

Lady Dedlock tells Mr. Tulkinghorn where her jewelry is kept and that she has a little money, but that she is not wearing her own clothes. Mr. Tulkinghorn does not understand, and Lady Dedlock explains that she will leave Chesney Wold that night and never return. Mr. Tulkinghorn shakes his head at her and Lady Dedlock asks him why she shouldn’t leave; her presence, she says, is a “stain” on Chesney Wold. Mr. Tulkinghorn assures her that he has not forgotten this. She tries to leave but he tells her that, if she does, he will ring for the servants. Lady Dedlock remains in the room, cold with fury.

Mr. Tulkinghorn says it is unfortunate that they must talk in this way, but that it is not his fault, since she revealed her secret to him. Lady Dedlock rushes to the window and he seems concerned for a second that she will jump out. She stands and looks out, however, and, again, Mr. Tulkinghorn is impressed by her strength of will. He says that he has not decided how to treat her case and that the real consideration is Sir Leicester and the Dedlock line, with which Sir Leicester is inseparably attached.

A discovery such as this would destroy Sir Leicester, Mr. Tulkinghorn insists, and he wishes to prevent this. Lady Dedlock says that, if she leaves, this will be avoided, but Mr. Tulkinghorn says her flight would be a lethal blow to her husband. Instead, he advises her, to keep her secret and wait for him to make the first move. Lady Dedlock is horrified by this suggestion. She asks him if he expects her to live with her guilt and that suspense of knowing that she will one day be exposed. Mr. Tulkinghorn confirms that this is the only option he offers.

Lady Dedlock considers for a moment and Mr. Tulkinghorn presses her to agree. Lady Dedlock concedes and Mr. Tulkinghorn politely shows her to the door. He is amazed by her rigid, emotionless state and would understand her better if he could see her for what she is in private—a distraught woman, wild with grief. Mr. Tulkinghorn goes to bed happy that night, and Sir Leicester and the cousins, and the Dedlocks in the family vault, sleep soundly beneath the stars.