Dickens brought with him not only his wife Catherine, but also her 17 year old sister Mary, of whom he was inordinately fond. Mary had also lived with them previously at Furnival's Inn. Charles' younger brother Frederick also joined them here. After a visit to the theatre on Saturday evening, Mary is taken ill just after midnight. She died later in Charles' arms, just seventeen years old.
Medical opinion believes the cause of death to be a heart condition.
In his grief Charles removed a ring from her finger, and placed it on his own. He was to wear it for the rest of his life. It is reported that he was greatly affected by the sadness of her loss for many years afterwards. Catherine, then pregnant, suffered a miscarriage due to the shock of her sister's death. Mary's grave is in Kensal Green cemetary, London.