Book Seven: Two Temptations Summary and Analysis
Chapter 63
At a Christmas party, Mr. Toller, one of the Middlemarch doctors, asks Mr. Farebrother if he has seen much of the “scientific phoenix, Lydgate.” Farebrother says he has not, and the other party guests gossip about Lydgate, saying that he has been spending money freely and wondering whether his aristocratic relations are supporting him. This is not the first time Farebrother has heard it said that Lydgate must be living beyond his means, so he decides to talk to Lydgate and let him know he has a friend who will listen to his troubles and help if he can. He is well aware that Lydgate is a proud man but, because he has little of this type of pride himself, does not understand the depth of Lydgate’s aversion to talking about his private business.
The opportunity for Farebrother to talk to Lydgate occurs at a party held by Mr. Vincy on New Year’s Day. Mary Garth is there, and Fred is jealous when Mr. Farebrother sits beside her, as he still considers the clergyman as a rival for Mary’s affections. When Lydgate comes in, Farebrother initiates a friendly conversation by saying that he understands he has Lydgate to thank for his current position as Vicar of Lowick. Lydgate coldly asks him why he should think this, and Farebrother says Mr. Brooke told him that Lydgate persuaded Dorothea to give him the post. Lydgate contemptuously dismisses Mr. Brooke as “a leaky-minded fool” and continues to repulse Farebrother’s attempts to be friendly.
Chapter 64
Lydgate is now in serious financial trouble: he is one thousand pounds in debt with only a small and irregular income on which to depend. He is in a state of constant irritation and his bitterness continually increases Rosamond’s alienation from him. He says they will have to dismiss two of their three servants, which she says will injure his position professionally as well as socially. She is even more horrified when he suggests selling their house to Ned Plymdale, who has recently married Sophy Toller. When Rosamond visits Mrs. Toller the next day, she asks where Ned and Sophy will live. Mrs. Toller asks if she knows of a suitable house for the young couple, but Rosamond says she hears very little of such matters and has no idea. She then goes to see Mr. Trumbull, the auctioneer, and tells him to take no further steps in selling their house, despite Lydgate’s instructions to proceed quickly.
That evening, Rosamond asks Lydgate how much money they would need to keep the house, and Lydgate reluctantly tells her that it would take at least one thousand pounds. Rosamond writes to Sir Godwin Lydgate, saying that she thinks her husband would enjoy greater professional success outside Middlemarch but that they would need significant financial aid to alleviate his difficulties and move away. When Lydgate is about to go to Trumbull’s office, she admits that she countermanded his instructions about the sake of the house. He is angry that she disobeyed him and feels more alienated from her than ever. Nonetheless, he begins to think of going to see Sir Godwin, as he knows that no letter will persuade him to advance the money they need.
Chapter 65
One morning, Lydgate receives a letter from Sir Godwin, saying that he has no money to spare and that Lydgate should not have told his wife to write and ask for it. Lydgate speaks to Rosamond severely, telling her the harm she has done by meddling in his financial affairs without speaking to him. He had almost made up his mind...
(This entire section contains 1003 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
to go to his uncle and ask for help, but now she has preempted him and frustrated this plan. He tells her that she must admit she was wrong and promise not to go behind his back in the future. Rosamond, however, is wounded by his cruelty and thinks he should be the one to apologize. Lydgate feels “checkmated” by her refusal to accept blame. He says that they cannot have opposite interests because his happiness depends on hers. Rosamond weeps, saying she wishes she had died along with her child, and Lydgate knows he is defeated.
Chapter 66
Lydgate is becoming desperate in his loneliness as well as in his need for money. He tries opium and takes to gambling, which in Middlemarch takes the form of billiards at the Green Dragon. When Fred arrives in the billiard room, he is shocked to find Lydgate playing well, having won sixteen pounds. After Fred’s arrival, Lydgate starts to lose, and Fred persuades him to leave the billiard room to talk to Mr. Farebrother downstairs.
Lydgate leaves the room but only shakes hands with Farebrother before going outside. Farebrother then says that it would be easy for him to watch Fred frequenting places like the Green Dragon without saying anything, as then Mary would be more likely to abandon Fred. However, he does not want to do this, as Mary seems to care for Fred, and he hopes to see them happy together. Fred is moved by Farebrother’s unselfish benevolence and says that he will do his best to be worthy of his kindness and Mary’s love.
Chapter 67
Lydgate is thinking about whether to approach Bulstrode for money, a highly distasteful course, as he has always been independent of Bulstrode despite their work together at the hospital. As he hesitates, Bulstrode calls Lydgate into the bank to consult him on the insomnia and dyspepsia that have been troubling him recently. He tells Lydgate that he plans to give up most of his work and move to the coast. He says that after he has left Middlemarch, Dorothea is the most likely person to finance the hospital and suggests that Lydgate should ask her. When Lydgate broaches the subject of his own financial position and asks for a loan of a thousand pounds, Bulstrode declines to help and tells him to declare bankruptcy.
