Book Eight: Sunset and Sunrise Summary and Analysis
Chapter 72
Mr. Farebrother warns Dorothea against talking to Lydgate about Raffles’s death and the money he received from Bulstrode. He knows how proud Lydgate is and feels certain that he would regard any such approach as a terrible insult. However, Dorothea is so ardent in her desire to help Lydgate that Mr. Farebrother is almost persuaded, saying that “a woman may venture on some efforts of sympathy which would hardly succeed if we men undertook them.” Sir James is also against Dorothea’s intervention, and Celia says she should listen to him, or she will get into trouble. She points out that Dorothea always submitted to Casaubon’s wishes when he was alive. However, Dorothea says that she does not need a man to tell her what to do and will follow her own inclinations in this matter.
Chapter 73
Lydgate is infuriated at the damage his reputation has suffered and wishes he had never come to Middlemarch. He realizes that Bulstrode was afraid of Raffles telling him something and thinks that he may have disobeyed Lydgate’s instructions and hastened Raffles’s death. Whether he did or not, everyone believes that Bulstrode is guilty, and Lydgate is guilty by association. He thinks of denying that he took the money as a bribe and pointing out that he did not even know of Raffles’s existence when he first asked Bulstrode for a loan. However, he wonders whether he would have acted in quite the same way if he had not been under an obligation to Bulstrode. Finally, he resolves to offer no explanations or excuses, though he hates the thought of telling Rosamond about what has happened.
Chapter 74
In Middlemarch, the general opinion of a man is always quickly and candidly communicated to his wife. Most people are sympathetic towards Mrs. Bulstrode, who is well-liked, but are inclined to find fault with Rosamond, whose air of superiority irritates them. Mrs. Bulstrode does not initially understand the nature of her husband’s disgrace, as people refrain from talking to her about it. Her brother, Mr. Vincy, finally tells her about the scandal, saying that he wishes neither she nor Rosamond had married.
Mrs. Bulstrode is neither clever nor well-educated, but she is loyal. She has shared Bulstrode’s wealth for many years, and he has always been a loving husband, so it does not occur to her to leave him now. She prepares for a new life of simplicity and humility by putting on a plain black gown and removing all her jewelry so that she looks “like an early Methodist.” In the evening, she goes to Bulstrode, and they weep together in silence.
Chapter 75
Disappointed in her marriage, Rosamond had entertained fantasies that Will loves her, imagining that his admiration for Dorothea was merely a ploy to arouse her jealousy. Now that Will has moved to London, she hopes to persuade Lydgate to move there as well.
Shortly after, Will writes to say that he is going to pay a brief visit to Middlemarch, an event that Rosamond decides to celebrate by giving a small party. She sends out invitations, all of which are declined. When Lydgate discovers this, he angrily tells her not to invite people to the house. Rosamond goes to her father’s house, and he tells her what has happened to Bulstrode and Lydgate, giving her a terrible shock. When Rosamond returns home, she tells Lydgate that she cannot bear living in Middlemarch under these circumstances; she argues that they have no alternative but to move to London.
Chapter 76
Dorothea asks Lydgate to come to Lowick Manor. When he...
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arrives, she is shocked by how haggard he looks. She begins to discuss the new hospital, but Lydgate says that she should not depend on his involvement, as he may be obliged to leave Middlemarch soon. Dorothea impulsively says that she has heard the rumors about him and does not believe them. She is certain he would not do anything dishonorable. Lydgate tells her everything, including facts that he has learned since Raffles’s death: the sick man was given a heavy dose of opium as well as brandy. He still does not know if Bulstrode intended to kill Raffles but is aware that public opinion is against them both, whatever the truth may be.
Dorothea tries to persuade Lydgate to remain in Middlemarch and, when he says that Rosamond would be unhappy, offers to speak to her. Lydgate still does not believe he can stay in the town, but he would like Dorothea to visit Rosamond, who may be comforted by her support. As she rides away, he thinks that Dorothea is an extraordinary woman who has “a heart large enough for the Virgin Mary.” Meanwhile, Dorothea is writing a check for a thousand pounds to release Lydgate from his obligation to Bulstrode.
Chapter 77
As promised, Dorothea goes to visit Rosamond, hoping to make a friend of her. Rosamond has been deeply distressed by the rumors about Lydgate, barely leaving the house or even her bedroom. When Dorothea comes to the door, the servant thinks Rosamond may be out and shows her into the drawing room to wait. However, Dorothea finds that Rosamond is in the room, in tears, with Will clasping her hands. Dorothea quickly excuses herself, saying that she came with a letter for Lydgate and did not know Rosamond was at home. She then rushes out and drives to Freshitt Hall before Rosamond or Will can say anything to her.
Chapter 78
Rosamond and Will stand motionless as Dorothea leaves the room. At length, she places her hand on his arm, and he furiously tells her not to touch him. Rosamond is offended and sarcastically says that Will can easily go after Dorothea and explain that he prefers her. Will says that Dorothea will never look at him or believe a word he says again. He had no hope of her loving him before, but at least she trusted him and thought him honorable. After venting his rage against Rosamond, he tries to mitigate the cruelty of his words by asking if he should come to see Lydgate in the evening. Rosamond’s reply that he should come if he likes is barely audible and, when he has left the house, she faints. Lydgate finds her lying on the bed later that afternoon, and she clings to him and sobs hysterically.
Chapter 79
When Will comes to see Lydgate that evening, Lydgate tells him that Rosamond is ill. He says that she has suffered from a nervous shock and that they have both gone through “several rounds of purgatory” since Will left Middlemarch. He also mentions that Will is involved in the affair, as it is known that Raffles approached him. Will says that Middlemarch gossip will probably cast him as the most disreputable character in the scandal before long. However, he does not mention that he refused an offer of money from Bulstrode because Lydgate’s troubles stem from his failure to take the same course.
Chapter 80
Dorothea dines with Mr. Farebrother and his family, who talk about Will. She is surprised to find that her heart palpitates violently at the mention of his name; when she returns home, she admits to herself that she has loved him for a long time. She sobs herself to sleep. When she wakes, it is with a new determination to discover the true nature of Will’s relations with Rosamond. She reflects that, in her sudden jealousy, she was too quick to judge both of them. Dorothea puts on a new dress and bonnet and goes into Middlemarch to see Rosamond.
