# Alfred Lammle — Our Mutual Friend character guide

> Alfred Lammle in Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Lammle, Alfred Lammle, the captivating Alfred

**First appearance:** 0010-x-a-marriage-contract

## Snapshot

A polished, penniless social operator who marries Sophronia for her supposed fortune and turns his charm into a weapon for fleecing the Veneering circle.

## Who they are

Alfred Lammle moves through fashionable London as the captivating young gentleman, cultivated by the Veneerings and tolerated by Twemlow, always angling for the next advantageous connection. When he discovers that his marriage to Sophronia brought no money, the pair convert their disappointment into a cold partnership of predation, targeting richer and more naive marks. His schemes give the novel its sharpest picture of how polite society manufactures its own swindlers.

## In the story

### [A Marriage Contract](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/x-a-marriage-contract)

The bridegroom, a gentleman of property invested in shares, marrying for financial gain.

### [Podsnappery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xi-podsnappery)

Observed exchanging a subtle, dark look with his wife during the dance, suggesting a shared secret or scheme.

### [Cupid Prompted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-cupid-prompted)

Orchestrates the matchmaking between Georgiana and Fledgeby, using manipulative prompts and gestures.

### [Mercury Prompting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/v-mercury-prompting)

Breakfasts with Fledgeby, trying to extract his opinion of Georgiana Podsnap, but is frustrated by Fledgeby's evasiveness.

### [An Anniversary Occasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvi-an-anniversary-occasion)

Alfred Lammle hosts the anniversary breakfast with his wife. He is described as 'all aglitter' and introduces Fledgeby to the guests, also proclaiming the sequel to the story of the Man from Somewhere.

### [Lodgers in Queer Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/i-lodgers-in-queer-street)

Lammle brings the Podsnap rejection letter to Fledgeby, signaling the failure of their scheme. He confronts Fledgeby, returns the promissory note, and leaves with lingering suspicion.

### [The Golden Dustman Falls Into Bad Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/v-the-golden-dustman-falls-into-bad-company)

Mentioned as part of the Lammles' social circle; Bella distrusts and dislikes him.

### [Meaning Mischief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xii-meaning-mischief)

Sits at breakfast discontented, conspires with his wife to ruin the Boffins' secretary for financial gain.

### [A Social Chorus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvii-a-social-chorus)

His financial collapse is the subject of the dinner conversation.

### [The Golden Dustman Rises a Little](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ii-the-golden-dustman-rises-a-little)

Flatters Mr. Boffin with grandiose praise, but is ultimately dismissed by Boffin, who pays him off.

### [A Few Grains of Pepper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/viii-a-few-grains-of-pepper)

Beats Fledgeby with a cane, leaves broken pieces with Jenny, and departs England with Sophronia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/alfred_lammle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters