Esther Summerson is raised by the tough Miss Barbary, who tells her "Your mother, Esther, is your misfortune and you were hers." After Miss Barbary's death, John Jarndyce becomes Esther's guardian and assigns Chancery Attorney "Conversation" Kenge to take charge of her future. After attending school for six years, Esther moves in with him to her home, Bleak House. Jarndyce simultaneously assumes custody of two other wards, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. They are beneficiaries of one of the controversial wills in Jarndyce and Jarndyce .; your guardian is a beneficiary under another will, and the two wills conflict. Richard and Ada soon fall in love, but although Jarndyce is not opposed to the union, he stipulates that Richard must first choose a profession. Richard first attempts a career in medicine, and Esther meets Allan Woodcourt, a doctor, at the home of Richard's tutor. When Richard mentions the prospect of benefiting from Jarndyce and Jarndyce's resolve, John Jarndyce begs him to never put faith in what he calls "the curse of the family." Richard decides to change his career to law. He later switches back and spends the rest of his funds to buy a commission as a military officer.
