Nicholas Nickleby: Chapter 46 Summary & Analysis

At work the following day, Nicholas decides that it would be best to tell Charles immediately about what happened the night before regarding Smike. Nicholas explains the situation, and Charles agrees with Nicholas. He says that if Mr. Snawley is indeed Smike’s father, then Mr. Snawley is a barbarian and a hypocrite, and Nicholas did right by refusing to hand Smike over to him. Nicholas is relieved that his employer takes his side. Charles then says that he became acquainted with the situation when Ralph visited earlier that day. Nicholas is surprised that Ralph would have come to his work. Charles says they promptly sent Ralph away, and that Ned and Tim are also on Nicholas’s side.

Charles then says that he has a job he wants Nicholas to do. He explains that it relates to the woman who Nicholas saw in Charles’s office a few days ago. That woman is Madeline Bray. She is the daughter of Mrs. Bray, who Charles was in love with when he was Nicholas’s age. Ned was also in love with Mrs. Bray’s sister. The sister died, and Mrs. Bray recently died, too. When she was younger, Mrs. Bray decided not to marry Charles and married another man instead. That man, Mr. Bray, turned out to be cruel and inconsiderate and constantly got into debt. His wife never stopped loving him, though. When she died, Madeline was left alone trying to manage her father’s debts. At Madeline’s request, Charles has been giving her money in small amounts so that her father doesn’t steal it.

Charles says that they have a new plan now. They’re going to buy artwork from Madeline so that she has a steady stream of income. Charles, Ned, and Tim can’t act as the dealer because Mr. Bray knows who they are. Charles is reluctant to send Frank because he thinks Frank would fall in love with Madeline. Charles adds that he believes Frank was defending Madeline’s honor the night when Frank and Nicholas first met in the tavern. For those reasons, Charles asks Nicholas to pose as an art dealer to buy artwork from Madeline. Madeline is aware of the plan and knows Nicholas will be sent from the Cheeryble Brothers, but Charles says that Nicholas would do well to convince her that they will sell her paintings for a profit, which they don’t actually plan to do. 

Nicholas visits the Brays’ house. The exterior seems shabby to him. When he goes inside, he sees Madeline, who has occupied countless hours of his thoughts. He can’t believe she’s sitting across from him. Mr. Bray sits on the other side of the room. He’s emaciated and looks much older than his 50 years. Nicholas, playing the role of dealer, offers 5 pounds for ornamented velvet. Mr. Bray interjects and treats both Nicholas and Madeline rudely. When Mr. Bray asks if Nicholas needs a receipt, Nicholas says no. Mr. Bray says they don’t need anyone’s charity. As Nicholas leaves, Madeline follows him out the door. She asks him not to mention the business deal to her mother’s friends, who want Madeline to distance herself from her father. Nicholas says he wouldn’t dream of doing that. He says that he is Madeline’s devoted servant and will do anything she wishes.