# John Rokesmith — Our Mutual Friend character guide > John Rokesmith in Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Rokesmith, Rokesmith, John Rokesmith, John **First appearance:** 0015-xv-two-new-servants ## Snapshot A quiet, watchful secretary in the Boffin household who knows more about the missing heir John Harmon than anyone suspects, and loves Bella Wilfer from the shadows. ## Who they are Rokesmith arrives at the Bower as a nameless, capable young man hired to manage the Golden Dustman's affairs, and he is treated by turns as a servant and a nuisance. He carries a secret identity, a stubborn patience, and a love for Bella that he can neither declare nor abandon as Boffin's character begins to curdle under wealth. His presence turns the Harmon inheritance from a legal puzzle into a moral test of who deserves fortune and who merely wants it. ## Relationships ### [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer) _romantic_ Bella initially distrusts John Rokesmith but eventually falls deeply in love with him and marries him, unaware he is the heir to the Harmon fortune. ### [Mr. Boffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_boffin) _professional_ John Rokesmith serves as Mr. Boffin's secretary, but is secretly the rightful heir to the Harmon estate, testing Boffin's character. ### [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer) _romantic_ Bella initially distrusts John Rokesmith but eventually falls deeply in love with him and marries him, unaware he is the heir to the Harmon fortune. ### [Mr. Boffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_boffin) _professional_ John Rokesmith serves as Mr. Boffin's secretary, but is secretly the rightful heir to the Harmon estate, testing Boffin's character. ### [Mr. Boffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_boffin) _professional_ John Rokesmith serves as Mr. Boffin's secretary, but is secretly the rightful heir to the Harmon estate, testing Boffin's character. ### [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer) _romantic_ Bella initially distrusts John Rokesmith but eventually falls deeply in love with him and marries him, unaware he is the heir to the Harmon fortune. ## In the story ### [Book the First: The Cup and the Lip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/book-the-first-the-cup-and-the-lip) Becomes Mr. Boffin's secretary, a key figure in the unfolding plot. ### [The R. Wilfer Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-the-r-wilfer-family) Mentioned as the expected lodger whose arrival the family anticipates with some fear. ### [Mr. Boffin in Consultation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/viii-mr-boffin-in-consultation) Applies to Mr. Boffin for a secretary position; is told to call at the Bower in a week or two. ### [Mr. and Mrs. Boffin in Consultation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ix-mr-and-mrs-boffin-in-consultation) Present at the Boffins' departure from the Wilfer home; reacts with alarm when Mrs. Boffin mentions showing 'little John Harmon' to Bella, mistaking it for a reference to the dead. ### [Two New Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xv-two-new-servants) Hired as secretary; efficiently organizes Mr. Boffin's papers; tours the Bower and shows interest in the dust mounds. ### [Minders and Reminders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvi-minders-and-reminders) Acts as Mr. Boffin's Secretary, delivers the invitation to Bella, and later accompanies Mrs. Boffin to visit Betty Higden. ### [A Dismal Swamp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvii-a-dismal-swamp) As the Secretary, he struggles daily through the 'dismal swamp' of begging letters and requests addressed to Mr. Boffin. ### [Book the Second: Birds of a Feather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/book-the-second-birds-of-a-feather) John Rokesmith appears as Mr. Boffin's secretary, his true identity still concealed. ### [In Which an Innocent Elopement Occurs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/viii-in-which-an-innocent-elopement-occurs) Rokesmith gently confronts Bella about her neglect of her family and offers to carry messages. His quiet earnestness unsettles Bella and prompts her to visit home. ### [In Which the Orphan Makes His Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ix-in-which-the-orphan-makes-his-will) Acts as the Secretary, arranges Johnny's transfer to the Children's Hospital, and stays with him at the end. ### [A Successor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/x-a-successor) Shows sympathy and tenderness toward Mrs. Boffin's feelings about the child and the name. ### [A Solo and a Duet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiii-a-solo-and-a-duet) Engages in a lengthy internal soliloquy, reconstructing his past and deciding to remain dead as John Harmon. ### [Strong of Purpose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiv-strong-of-purpose) Resolves to keep John Harmon buried to protect the Boffins; secures Riderhood's retraction; advocates for Betty Higden's independence. ### [Book the Third: A Long Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/book-the-third-a-long-lane) John continues to work as Mr. Boffin's secretary, maintaining his secret identity while growing closer to Bella. ### [A Happy Return of the Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-a-happy-return-of-the-day) Offers his sitting-room for the celebration but declines to attend, citing a particular engagement; Bella inspects his room and finds a portrait. ### [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) Maintains a fixed, unreadable expression while Mr. Boffin changes; accepts the salary terms but seems subdued. ### [The End of a Long Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/viii-the-end-of-a-long-journey) Referred to as the Secretary to whom Betty Higden spoke of her 'deadness.' ### [Somebody Becomes the Subject of a Prediction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ix-somebody-becomes-the-subject-of-a-prediction) Attends the funeral as a mourner; later walks with Bella and discusses Lizzie Hexam's request for secrecy, encouraging Bella to speak with Lizzie alone. ### [Meaning Mischief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xii-meaning-mischief) The Boffins' secretary whom the Lammles plot to have dismissed by falsely accusing him of a mercenary design on Bella. ### [The Golden Dustman at His Worst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xv-the-golden-dustman-at-his-worst) Quietly dignified under Boffin's attacks, he declares his unwavering love for Bella and insists his motives are pure. ### [The Golden Dustman Sinks Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iii-the-golden-dustman-sinks-again) Mentioned by Wegg as an 'underhanded sneak' who must be discharged; Boffin reveals that Rokesmith is already discharged. ### [A Runaway Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-a-runaway-match) Marries Bella Wilfer, participating in the playful disguise of their wedding party. ### [Concerning the Mendicant's Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/v-concerning-the-mendicant-s-bride) Bella's husband, who accompanies her to the family visit and is warmly accepted. ### [Effect Is Given to the Dolls’ Dressmaker’s Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xi-effect-is-given-to-the-dolls-dressmaker-s-discovery) Bella's husband; he refuses to see Mortimer Lightwood or attend the wedding, causing Bella confusion. ### [XII: The Passing Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xii-the-passing-shadow) Reveals his former identity as Julius Handford to Mortimer Lightwood, is confronted by an Inspector about the Harmon murder, but remains calm and confident. ### [Showing How the Golden Dustman Helped to Scatter Dust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiii-showing-how-the-golden-dustman-helped-to-scatter-dust) Revealed as John Harmon; explains his supposed death and the pious fraud to test Bella. ### [Checkmate to the Friendly Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiv-checkmate-to-the-friendly-move) Revealed as John Harmon, he confronts Wegg, exposing the worthless will and declaring that his fortune comes solely from Mr. Boffin's munificence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/john_rokesmith - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters