Summary
Farebrother catches Lydgate alone after dinner at the
Vincys. He thanks Lydgate for freeing him of his gambling habit
by convincing Dorothea to give him the Lowick parish. He says that
he is chastened to realize how much a man's good behavior depends
on not being in want of money. Lydgate coldly replies that all money
seems to come by chance, especially money earned in a profession.
Lydgate's fatalistic attitude surprises Farebrother. He intuits
that Lydgate is having trouble, so he hints that a man should depend
on his friends. Lydgate continues to behave coldly. His distrust
wounds Farebrother.
Lydgate is so deeply in debt that he needs at least one
thousand pounds. He tells Rosamond that he wishes to move to a smaller, cheaper
house. Ned Plymdale and his new wife are looking for a suitable
home. They are wealthy, and Lydgate thinks they will take the house
as well as most of the furniture. Lydgate plans to employ Trumbell
to negotiate the deal with Plymdale. Rosamond pleads that Lydgate
write Sir Godwin and ask for money. Lydgate refuses.
Rosamond secretly pays a visit to Trumbell and revokes
Lydgate's order. She needles the information out of Lydgate that
a thousand pounds is necessary to remain in their present home.
She secretly writes Sir Godwin asking for that sum. Lydgate tells
her that he plans to instruct Trumbell to advertise their home in
the papers, and Rosamond confesses that she revoked his order. Lydgate
is furious. He begins thinking about traveling to see his uncle,
Sir Godwin, to ask for money.
A letter from Sir Godwin arrives, but it is addressed
to Lydgate. When he reads it, Lydgate pales with anger and castigates
his wife for her habit of acting secretly. Sir Godwin writes to
order Lydgate never again to set his wife to write him when he has
something to ask. He has no money to spare, because the rest of
the family is continually draining him. Lydgate rails at his wife,
but she responds with stubborn silence. Finally, she tells him that
he has made her life unpleasant and that marriage has brought hardships
upon her. She cries and Lydgate tenderly consoles her.
Lydgate goes to the Green Dragon to speak with Mr. Bambridge about
trading his good horse for a cheaper hack. Bambridge is not there,
however, so Lydgate plays billiards to pass the time. The spectators
begin placing bets. Before long, Lydgate is betting on his own play
and winning. Meanwhile, Fred Vincy arrives. Lydgate's frenzied betting
startles him. He considers placing some bets, but Lydgate's strange
behavior kills the impulse. Lydgate has begun to lose, but he doesn't
stop betting.
Fred receives the message that Farebrother is waiting
to speak with him downstairs. Hoping to save Lydgate from further
loss, Fred asks him to act as a shield because Farebrother is sure
to castigate him. Lydgate agrees. After some small talk, Lydgate
departs, and Farebrother hints that he will court Mary himself if
Fred falls into his former extravagant ways. Fred promises to stay
away from the Green Dragon.
