File:The Evil Genius of the House of Boffin.jpg

The Evil Genius of the House of Boffin Marcus Stone

Wood engraving by Green

12.8 cm high x 8.8 cm wide

Illustration for Book 3, "A Long Lane," Chapter 7, "The Friendly Move Takes up a Strong Position," in Charles Dickens's Our Mutual friend

Stone's illustration appeared in the May 1865, instalment. Wegg, made bitterly envious of Boffin's good fortune after the incident at the mounds (previous illustration) and determined to separate the Golden Dustman from most of his inheritance by virtue of the alternate Harmon will which he has discovered and verified through the registry at Doctors' Commons, nightly haunts the vicinity of the Boffin town house, its classical pillars (supplied like much of the scene by Stone rather than Dickens) implying the owner's power and affluence. In Wegg's right hand Stone has placed the hat-box which had contained the alternate will with which Wegg plans to blackmail Boffin. His feeling so confident in his ability to use the new Harmon will as leverage against Boffin is ironic in that he has entrusted the document to Venus, who has already proven less than completely trustworthy. Shortly Boffin's shadow will appear against the blinds of the three lighted windows in the second storey.

Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.

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