Once Bella and Harmon (Rokesmith) marry, they do have a conversation about being poor. It is Bella, rather than Rokesmith, who advocates in favor of things continuing as they are. Two related conversations occur in book 4, chapter 5.
One of the main points Charles Dickens drives home in Our Mutual Friend is that a true union must be based on respect and affection. Bella had to be enlightened on this subject; it was done by making her object to Mr. Boffin’s exaggerated behavior, which finally brought her and Harmon together. While Harmon is operating as Rokesmith, he proposes to Bella, and she refuses primarily because he is poor. When Boffin insults and then dismisses Rokesmith for daring to propose to her, she starts to have warm feelings for Rokesmith, then leaves the Boffin household and returns to her own home. The next development is that she accepts Rokesmith’s proposal.
In book 4, chapter 4, “A Runaway Match,” Bella and Rokesmith get married in a quiet ceremony in Greenwich, with her father in attendance. She sends a letter to her mother, who is, as Bella expected, upset. Their married life begins with a quiet dinner rather than a lavish banquet. Rokesmith lives in a cottage in Blackheath, and she does not go home to see her mother but moves in with him.
In chapter 5, we learn that both her mother and her sister are furious; Mrs. Wilfer labels John a “mendicant.” Mr. Wilfer does not admit he knew all along. It takes several weeks before the couple is properly invited to tea at her family’s home. Bella is so obviously overjoyed in her new situation, and loves her husband so much, that her mother and sister cannot raise an objection. After they leave, as they are walking from London toward Greenwich, they speak about their financial situation. John asks her if she would not prefer him to be rich, “really rich.” They discuss the ill effects that wealth has had on Boffin and, by extension, on her. John suggests that this might not happen to everyone, as wealth can be used to help others. She seems unconvinced, saying she is not sure if she would instead bring harm to herself.
“I don’t know,” said Bella, thoughtfully shaking her head. “I hope not. I think not. But it’s so easy to hope not and think not, without the riches.”
“Why don’t you say, my darling—instead of that phrase—being poor?” he asked, looking earnestly at her.
“Why don’t I say, being poor! Because I am not poor. Dear John, it’s not possible that you suppose I think we are poor?”
As they continue to discuss the subject, he says that having her makes him “rich beyond all wealth,” but he wishes he could buy her nice things, such as dresses, and asks if she wouldn’t prefer to travel in a carriage.
I shouldn’t like it for its own sake, half so well as such a wish for it. Dear John, your wishes are as real to me as the wishes in the Fairy story, that were all fulfilled as soon as spoken. Wish me everything that you can wish for the woman you dearly love, and I have as good as got it, John. I have better than got it, John!
As their happy life continues, one day John asks her again about being rich. Again she says no: “I want nothing on earth, and I want you to believe it.” She is actually concerned that she will regress to her previous mercenary ways and is doubting that she is really happy being poor. They conclude that they are both in agreement about this matter. He says that even if they were poorer, he would still be confident in her being content.
“I believe, dear John, that you believe that I believe that we have as much money as we require, and that we want for nothing.”
“It is strictly true, Bella.”
“But if our money should by any means be rendered not so much—if we had to stint ourselves a little in purchases that we can afford to make now—would you still have the same confidence in my being quite contented, John?”
“Precisely the same confidence, my soul.”
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/883/883-h/883-h.htm
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