Summary
Sir James and the Cadwalladers discuss Brooke's political
ambitions. The Trumpet, an opposing newspaper, criticizes Brooke's penchant
for preaching in favor of charity for the poor while allowing his
own tenants to live in relative squalor. He charges exorbitant rents,
but his tenants live in miserable conditions. Sir James and the Cadwalladers
hope that the public embarrassment will prompt him to improve the
conditions on his estate. Sir James attempts to convince Brooke
to hire Garth to manage his estate, but he is unable to succeed.
Sir James convinces Dorothea to aid in reforming Brooke.
Dorothea expresses admiration that he plans to make the conditions
on his own estate coincide with his political ambitions to "enter
Parliament as a member who cares for the improvement of the people." Flustered,
Brooke replies that she is too hasty. A footman arrives to report
that he caught Dagley's son poaching. Dagley is one of Brooke's
tenants. Will tells Dorothea that Casaubon forbade him to go to
Lowick after his refusal to quit Middlemarch. Dorothea feels terrible.
She believes Casaubon's behavior to be greatly in the wrong.
Brooke visits Dagley to talk to him about his son's poaching. Brooke
is keenly aware that the Dagley homestead looks dismal. Mr. Dagley
is drunk and in bad spirits. Brooke asks him to reprimand the boy.
Dagley states that he will do nothing of the sort. He lets Brooke
know that all of Middlemarch is talking about the Trumpet's scathing
editorial. Brooke departs hurriedly, stinging from the unpleasant
knowledge that he is not exceedingly popular everywhere.
Caleb Garth receives a letter from Sir James asking him
to manage the Tipton Grange and Freshitt estates. Farebrother arrives
to deliver a message on Fred's behalf. Fred has left to return to
college, and his shame over his debt prevented him from delivering
his farewell in person. He reports that Fred has asked him to try
and convince Mr. Vincy to allow Fred to choose a profession other
than the Church. The Garths tell Farebrother of Featherstone's last
request and Mary's feeling that she may have prevented Fred's inheritance unknowingly.
Mr. Garth plays with the idea of taking Fred into his business,
but Mrs. Garth thinks his family would never allow it. He also tells
his wife that it appears that Mr. Bulstrode plans to buy Stone Court
from Joshua Rigg Featherstone.
Joshua Rigg Featherstone argues with John Raffles, his
abusive stepfather. Raffles hassles him for money, but Rigg will
pay his mother a weekly allowance and no more. He tells Raffles
he will be driven away should he approach Stone Court again. Raffles
notices a letter signed by Mr. Bulstrode and carries it away with
him.
Despite all of her devoted care, Casaubon is convinced
that Dorothea judges him harshly. His speculations regarding Will
and Dorothea are full of suspicion and jealousy. He believes that
she was the cause of Will's return from Rome and his decision to
take up residence in Middlemarch. However, he believes Dorothea
to be innocent of bad intentions. Rather, he believes she is vulnerable
to Will's manipulation. He resolves to protect Dorothea from Will's
machinations. He consults Lydgate about the state of his health.
Lydgate replies that his health is fragile, but he could still live
another fifteen years.
