# Introduces the Next explained — Little Dorrit

> Chapter companion for Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Arthur Clennam confronts Miss Wade about her connection to the missing Blandois. Miss Wade reveals she hired Blandois as a spy in Italy, expresses hatred for Henry Gowan and his wife, and offers Clennam a written account of her life. Tattycoram (Harriet) appears, and a tense exchange reveals her lingering attachment to the Meagles family. Miss Wade denies knowing Blandois's whereabouts, leaving Clennam frustrated.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Revelation

Miss Wade reveals her hiring of Blandois as a spy and offers Clennam a written account of her life, while Clennam seeks to uncover the truth about Blandois's disappearance.

### Identity and Social Mobility

Tattycoram's conflicted feelings about her past with the Meagles and her current life with Miss Wade explore themes of self-definition and belonging.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Clennam

Seeks information about Blandois from Miss Wade, struggles with her cold demeanor and insinuations.

### Miss Wade

Reveals she hired Blandois as a spy in Italy, expresses hatred for Henry Gowan and his wife, and offers Clennam a written account of her life.

### Tattycoram

Appears as Harriet, admits to looking in at the Meagles' garden gate, and shows conflicted feelings about her past.

### Henry Gowan

Mentioned by Miss Wade as a 'dear friend' of Clennam and the object of her hatred.

### Pet Meagles

Mentioned as Henry Gowan's wife, whom Miss Wade hates.

### Mr. Meagles

Inquired about by Tattycoram; mentioned as not being at home.

## Key lines

> That he is a low, mercenary wretch; that I first saw him prowling about Italy (where I was, not long ago), and that I hired him there, as the suitable instrument of a purpose I happened to have; I have no objection to tell you.

Miss Wade admits to Arthur that she hired Blandois as a paid spy in Italy for her own purposes.

_Miss Wade openly confesses her mercenary arrangement with Blandois, revealing his role as a hired instrument._

> I hate his wife, sir.

Miss Wade declares her hatred for Pet Meagles, Henry Gowan's wife.

_Miss Wade's intense animosity toward Pet is expressed with controlled fury._

> You are no higher than a spaniel, and had better go back to the people who did worse than whip you.

Miss Wade belittles Tattycoram, suggesting she is as low as a dog and should return to the Meagles.

_Miss Wade's contempt for Tattycoram's lingering attachment to the Meagles is harshly expressed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xx-introduces-the-next
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters