Summary
The day after Casaubon's burial, Sir James and Mr. Brooke
discuss a codicil to his will. Casaubon has forbidden Dorothea to
marry Will Ladislaw. Sir James demands that Brooke send Ladislaw
out of the country, but Brooke says that he can't ship Will off
like a head of cattle. They resolve to keep the codicil a secret
from Dorothea, but they fear that gossip will soon endanger Dorothea's
reputation.
Dorothea insists that she look through Casaubon's papers.
She wants to find some clue about the unspecified promise he wanted
of her. Celia reveals the details of the codicil. If Dorothea were
to marry Will, she would be stripped of Casaubon's property. The knowledge
that Casaubon viewed her with suspicion embitters Dorothea.
Lydgate tells Dorothea to consider allowing Farebrother
to take over the parish at Lowick instead of Tyke. He mentions Farebrother's
gambling and says that an additional income would relieve him of
the need to engage in such an activity. He mentions that Will is
a friend of Farebrother's household, especially Miss Noble. Lydgate
doesn't know that he has mentioned the strongest reason against
Farebrother rather than the strongest recommendation in bringing
up Will Ladislaw's association with him.
Will doesn't know of Casaubon's codicil. He only knows
that Brooke arranges for him to be at Tipton Grange as little as
possible. He concludes that Dorothea's friends want him to stay
away on her account. He wonders if they view him with suspicion.
He despairs at the growing chasm between them and considers leaving
the neighborhood, but he wants to coach Brooke for the Parliamentary
elections.
Brooke gives an election speech. He notices an effigy
of himself held above the shoulders of the crowd. The hecklers befuddle
him, and the speech ends in disaster. The hecklers pelt both the
effigy and Brooke himself with eggs until Brooke flees. Brooke informs
Will that he is out of a job, because he is selling the Pioneer.
Will suspects that Brooke's friends have urged Brooke to be rid
of him.
Farebrother learns that he is to have the Lowick parish.
His mother, aunt, and sister urge him to court Mary Garth now that
he has sufficient income to marry. Fred, having taken his degree, requests
that Farebrother ask Mary if there is any chance that she would
marry him.
