Original subtitles

Tertius, here is a letter for you.

It’s my uncle Godwin.

Rosamond...

it will be impossible to live with you

if you continue to deceive me.

“Dear Tertius, don’t set your wife to write to me

“when you have anything to ask.

“It is a roundabout wheedling sort of thing

“which I should not have credited you with.

“I never choose to write to a woman on matters of business.

“As to my supplying you with –

“£1,000,

“I can do nothing of the sort.”

Oh, read the rest yourself. it sticks in my throat!

Will this be enough to convince you of the harm

you do with your secret meddling?

I had nearly resolved on going to Quallingham myself.

It would have caused me pain to do it,

yet it might have been of some use.

But it has never been of any use to me to think of anything.

I’m at the mercy of your devices.

If you mean to resist every wish I express,

for God’s sake, say so and defy me!

I should at least know what I am doing then!

Oh Rosy.

Can’t you see that nothing can be so fatal

as a lack of openness,

of confidence between us?

Will you only say that you have been mistaken,

and that I may depend on your not acting secretly in the future?

You expect me to make promises,

when you have use such cruel words against me?!

I think you ought to apologize.

You should allow for a man’s words

when he’s disappointed and provoked.

You and I can’t have opposite interests.

I only wished to prevent you

from hurrying us into wretchedness

without any necessity!

It is so very hard

to be disgraced here,

amongst the people that we know.

And to live in such a miserable way.

I wish I had died with the baby.

Come here.

What if we redesigned it...

on a smaller scale?

Chettam: It is very sad,

but you would need to be as rich as Croesus

to build any model village.

You saw for yourself in Yorkshire

what would be required.

I’ve already examined the figures.

I must confess, they surprised me too.

Garth: It is a great shame.

But I would be a greater one

to botch it up from a shortage of resources.

And there are a great many good ideas

for you to put to work at your cottages at Freshitt.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Garth. You’ve been very helpful.

Thank you, both.

Bulstrode: It was good of you, doctor, to attend on me so promptly.

(tapping)

- Well that sounds satisfactory. - Oh.

There is a slight irregularity of the pulse.

The insomnia would not be anything to worry about,

but you seem to be overextending yourself.

It would be well for you to relax your attention to business for a while.

- If that’s possible. - That is what I hope to do.

If the cholera should come to Middlemarch –

as many believe it will –

I fear its effects on a delicate constitution such as mine.

- You can congratulate yourself on doing your share

towards protecting Middlemarch from infection. - True.

But I have, in any case,

been contemplating a withdrawal from public business.

I think of changing my residence

and retiring to the coast.

I see.

I have, for some time, felt that I should

open this subject with you, in relation to our hospital.

In the circumstances I have indicated,

I must cease to have any personal share in the management.

And that being so, I would wish to withhold

any further financial contribution as well.

The loss to the hospital can hardly be made up, I fear.

Oh...

I suggest an amalgamation of the two hospitals under a common management.

But that implies an end to all my reforms here.

Sacrifices are demanded of us all.

We must all be prepared to submit to the divine will.

As to the funding, I’ve already spoken to Mrs. Casaubon.

It seems she may be willing to take my place as chief benefactor.

Thank you, Mr. Bulstrode. I’m obliged to you

for giving me full notice.

I am not sure whether I shall be able

to continue at the hospital.

Partly through devoting so much time

to my unpaid work,

I have slipped into money difficulties.

Oh, I see.

Which I can see no way out of.

Unless...

someone who trusts me and my future

would advance me a sum without security.

It would take £1,000

to save me from the bailiffs.

That is why I mention my position to you.

I see.

Well, I’m grieved, but not surprised.

I have always regretted your alliance

with my brother-in-law’s family,

which has ever been of prodigal habits.

And which has been already much indebted to me.

My advice to you, Dr. Lydgate,

is that instead of involving yourself

in further obligations, you should simply become a bankrupt.

It will be a trial.

But trial, my dear sir, is our portion here on earth.

(crowd chattering)

Man: Shh-shh-shh. Let him concentrate.

- (laughing) - Man: Dear, oh dear, oh dear.

- (cheering) - Game to Mr. Harrigan.

Bambridge: Bad luck, Dr. Lydgate.

(crowd “oohs”)

Do another, sir?

- Certainly. - Lydgate,

Mr. Farebrother is anxious to speak to you.

Farebrother.

Yes, he’s just outside.

Yes, he is, of course.

I just finished a game.

Excuse me. Excuse me, gentlemen.

- What does he want, do you know? - Nothing.

I thought you might like an excuse to leave off in there.

No offense.

I’ve been there myself before now.

Thanks, Fred.

Rosy will be wondering what’s become of me.

Right.

(distant dog barking)

You all right, old chap? Whoa.

You’re in no fit state to walk.

Where are you going?

To see an old friend.

Only Bulstrode. Must see only Bulstrode.

I’ll take you to Stone Court. Come on.

You’re very good, sir, you’re very good.

Have you known Mr. Bulstrode a long time?

(panting) Oh...yes.

Put him in the small bedroom, Mrs. Abel.

Come on now. Not much further.

My housekeeper will make him comfortable.

He needs a doctor.

You’d best lose no time.

- He looks bad to me. - Thank you.

Perhaps you’d oblige me by sending for Dr. Lydgate,

- If you’re going that way. - Aye, I will.

Garth: Mr. Bulstrode?

I want you to put your business in some other hands than mine.

I’m sorry about this...

but I must give it up.

Will you take a seat, Mr. Garth?

I’ll stand. Thank you, sir.

(scoffs) No doubt you’ll be led to this

by some slander from that unhappy creature.

I believe he told the truth, Mr. Bulstrode.

And I can’t be happy in working with you or –

profiting by you anymore.

It hurts my mind.

What did he tell you?

No need to repeat it.

I’ll never talk of it with anyone else.

It’s not for me to make your life

any harder than it is.

But you do make it harder by turning your back on me.

That, I am forced to do. I am sorry.

A man may do wrong

and wish he might rise clear of it,

and not be able to.

If that’s how it is with you, well...

I’m very sorry for you.

But, I have that feeling inside me

that I can’t go on working with you.

That’s all, Mr. Bulstrode.

I’d best be going now.

One moment!

I must have your solemn assurance that you will not repeat

these slanderous allegations to any living soul.

Why should I say it if I didn’t mean it?

I’m not in any fear of you.

I’ll take your message to the doctor. Good day.

Bulstrode: The man was in my employment many years ago.

Afterwards, he went to America.

I feel I should do my utmost for him.

What’s his name?

Raffles. John Raffle.

The case is serious, I apprehend.

Yes and no. He had a good constitution to start with,

but years of abuse have weakened him.

- (Raffles moaning) - The symptoms you describe

are consistent with delirium tremens, not fatal in itself,

but his liver may give out at any time.

His system is full of poison.

I’ve seen men pull through worse

- and live to tell the tale. - Ah.

He should be well watched.

Who will attend him?

Unfortunately, Mrs. Bulstrode is away

visiting her sister, and my housekeeper

is but newly in my service.

I shall take responsibility myself

- to oversee things. - Get him to take as much fluid as possible.

Water and tea.

Absolutely no alcoholic liquors.

New symptoms may arise. I shall come again tomorrow morning.

Thank you.

- You’re very good. - Strange, is it not?

I wonder what it is makes us care for one another.

When we do, that is.

Man: Careful with that one. Prop it on the side.

- Man: Have you got it? - (whispering)

Man: Go ahead.

Slide it in.

Ah, Dr. Lydgate.

I took the trouble of coming over in person,

just to make sure everything was done with the least inconvenience

- to yourself and Mrs. Lydgate. - Did you? Yes.

I see.

Where is Mrs. Lydgate? Is she at home?

Oh Rosy. Rosy.

Forgive me for this misery.

We shall weather it.

I went to papa when the men came.

He said he could do nothing about the debt,

that if he paid this one, there would only be a half a dozen more.

He said I am to come and live at home again

until you have found a proper place for me.

Should you object to that, Tertius?

Do as you like.

I shall not go until tomorrow.

I want to pack my clothes.

Why not wait a little longer?

I might get my neck broken and that would solve all your problems.

I see you do not wish me to go.

Why can you not say so without that sort of violence?

I will stay here until you request me to do otherwise.

It cannot be Thy will, Lord, surely,

that this wretch should live to destroy me;

that all my great works,

not for my glory, Lord, but for Thine,

should slip from my fingers.

Surely Thou will

release this wretched sinner here,

and take him to You,

so that I may continue Thy holy work on earth.

Why do you continue to torment me?

Why do you not die?

I’ll water him for you, sir.

Good boy.

What do you think?

The symptoms are worse.

You’re less hopeful?

No. I think he may yet come round.

(Raffles whimpers)

I’m going to try him with opium.

Every two hours. Two drops, precisely, in water.

- Nothing alcoholic at all. - He asks for brandy whenever he wakes.

He loves best what’s worst for him.

Many men could say that.

(Raffles muttering)

Dr. Lydgate, you seem disturbed, if I may say so. You are troubled, are you not?

The only change in my fortunes is that my creditors

are even now carrying away some of my household goods.

- Good morning. - No stay, Dr. Lydgate, stay.

I have been reconsidering.

Mrs. Bulstrode is anxious for her niece, and I, myself,

should grieve at the calamitous change in your position.

You have supported me steadfastly in my efforts

to raise the spiritual and bodily health of my neighbors.

And I have but few friends.

I think you have been – I think you are –

a friend to me. I think you are.

£1,000, you said

would suffice to free you from your burdens?

Yes.

I should be deeply obliged to you.

And I shall have great pleasure

in being of service to you, Dr. Lydgate.

Rosamond, we are out of our difficulties.

I’ve cleared all our debts today.

Everything is secured.

The furniture, the silver,

the jewelry, everything.

Rosy, I’m so sorry.

The anguish I must have caused you.

But now I have a chance to make a new start.

- But how has it been managed? - Bulstrode.

Bulstrode has been more than generous.

There. You see, Tertius?

Did I not tell you that our friends

would not wish us to be without money?

Yes, and you were right. But we must learn from this,

and try to be more economical.

I will devote more time to my practice.

- We must be more careful with our household expenses. - Oh yes, of course.

But, Tertius, you are not saying that we shall not entertain guests?

Will Ladislaw has written to me. He’s coming to Middlemarch on business.

I didn’t know how to reply, but...

we can give a dinner party for him now.

- Can we not? - Yes, why not?

A small one.

Why not?

- If that will make you happy. - Oh, Tertius.

It makes me very happy.

Oh.

Nick!

I think I’m going.

It’s a terrible thing, a frightening thing, Nick,

to be nowhere,

to be nothing.

I wish you were!

I wish you were in hell.

(knocks on door)

Bulstrode: Ah, Mrs. Abel, there you are.

Yes, sir?

I shall sit up in my room after dinner.

- Don’t hesitate to call me if there’s any change. - Yes, sir.

You know the dose? Two drops, every two hours.

- No more. - Yes, sir.

Very good.

All right now.

All right, there we are.

It’ll make thee feel better.

- (Raffles yelling) Give me some brandy! - Mrs. Abel: Oh, I don’t know.

I couldn’t take it on myself.

(arguing)

Mrs. Abel: Well, I’ll go and ask the master then.

(footsteps approach)

- (knocks) - Mr. Bulstrode, sir!

- What is it? - Can I give him a little brandy or port wine

just to settle him?

He’s terrible restless, and feels himself sinking.

What do you think, sir? Can I?

- (Raffles yells) - Just a couple of glasses, sir,

to nourish his blood a bit, poor creature.

Can I have the key to the wine cupboard, sir?

It’s not a time to spare when people are at death’s door.

Wait!

(Raffles continues wailing)

Oh thank you, sir.

I’ll dose him up directly. I’m sure it’s for the best.

- Mrs. Abel: There. - (Raffles moans)

Careful.

Careful!

Now that’s enough. Give me that now.

- That’s it. - (Raffles coughing)

I don’t understand.

When did the change begin?

Between 3:00 and 4:00 I’m told.

I did not watch with him last night.

I was overworn. I left him in Mrs. Abel’s care.

And she understood the dosage?

Of course.

It’s over.

More work for the undertaker, eh?

Morning to you, Mr. Bambridge.

- Good day. - Passed you by Lowick churchyard again this morning.

Trade must be very good.

In point of fact, he was a poor man with no friends.

Bulstrode paid it all. Bulstrode’s a close man.

Close as wax. Well known for it.

So why is he paying for another man’s funeral?

- Who was the man? - His name’s Raffles.

Raffles?

Raffles and Bulstrode.

Bambridge: Raffles told me

he could tap Bulstrode for any amount.

And now he’s dead.

- Where did he die? - At Stone Court, sir.

The housekeeper said he was a relation of the master’s, but he wasn’t.

Was there any doctor in attendance?

Ah! Dr. Lydgate.

When a man’s been enticed to a lonely house,

nobody to come near but Dr. Lydgate?

Well known for cutting up folk

before the breath is well out of their body.

And now, he’s paying off Mr. Byles the butcher

with a bill that’s been running a twelvemonth. Hmph!

I don’t need anybody telling me there’s been more going on

nor the prayer book’s got a service for.

I don’t need to sit winking and blinking and thinking.

- They should dig him up and have the crowner. - That’s right.

That being done, if there was foul play, they should point it out.

Not they, Hiram. Oh, I know what doctors are,

they’re a deal too cunning.

This Lydgate... will have drugs

you can neither smell nor see.

You mark my words, they’ve done away with that poor soul.

The pair of them!

(chatting)

(gavel raps)

If the meeting would come to order.

The purpose of this extraordinary meeting

is to review the measures taken

against the recent case of cholera in the town.

And to consider further measures,

principally the acquisition of land

to be used as a burial ground.

Mr. Bulstrode.

Mr. Chairman?

I request permission to speak

on a matter of public feeling.

Man: Aye.

I think most gentlemen here know what I’m talking about.

(crowd murmurs)

Very well, Mr. Hawley.

I am speaking now, not simply for myself,

but on behalf of a group

of my fellow townsmen.

Eight in all, all present here today.

(agrees)

We call upon Mr. Bulstrode

to resign,

immediately

and for good

from all those public positions which he now holds,

not simply as a taxpayer,

but as a gentleman amongst gentlemen.

(murmuring)

There are practices and there are acts

which the law cannot visit –

though they may be worse than many things which are legally punishable.

A man, now dead,

a man who died in Mr. Bulstrode’s home

alleged to more than one person

that Mr. Bulstrode was for many years

engaged in nefarious practices.

(crowd murmurs)

That he won his great fortune

by dishonest means

and held onto it by worse.

I call upon Mr. Bulstrode

either to deny and confute those allegations now,

or else to withdraw

from those positions which he could only hold

as a gentleman among gentlemen!

(crowd clamors)

Bulstrode: I protest...

against this sanction of proceedings against me,

which are dictated by hatred!

Who? Who shall be my accuser?

Not men whose own lives are unchristian.

Nay, scandalous.

Answer the charges!

Not men whose profession is a tissue of chicanery,

and who spend their incomes on sensual enjoyments,

while I have devoted mine

to the advancement of the best objects

for this life and the next.

If you mean me, sir,

I call on you and everyone else

to the inspection of my professional life.

I repudiate your canting Christianity, sir.

And call on you again

to answer the charges laid against you

or resign!

(crowd shouting)

- And as for the way I spend my income – - Resign!

I don’t maintain thieves!

Or cheat offspring of their inheritance!

- Man: Scum! - Hawley: In order to set myself up

- as saintly killjoy! - Chairman: Mr. Hawley!

(crowd murmuring)

Man: Come on, quiet!

Mr. Bulstrode.

It is not desirable, I think,

to prolong the present discussion.

Seeing as you seem unwilling or unable

to answer immediately the allegations made,

I recommend you at present,

as one of those who hopes to see

your reinstatement in respect,

to quit the room now

and avoid further hindrance to business.

(crowd jeering)

Man: Go ahead, stand up!

(crowd yelling)

(whispering)

I’m very sorry, but Mrs. Plymdale is not at home.

(gossiping)

How can you believe it without knowing the facts?

We must find out what the truth is and clear him.

It’s a delicate matter.

Lydgate is proud and sensitive.

I count myself his friend, but I would shrink from questioning him.

We must do what we can, surely.

I cannot be indifferent to the troubles

of a man who helped me in my trouble. Can you?

Chettam: You can’t manage a man’s life for him, Dorothea.

He must know how he stands.

He will clear himself, if he can be clear.

The devil of it is, he has no way of proving his innocence.

There is his previous character to speak for him.

I’m afraid character is not something that is cut in marble.

It may become diseased, as bodies do.

Well then, it may be rescued and healed.

I am sure that Dr. Lydgate could clear himself,

and then we could all stand by him and bring him out of this trouble.

- Walter? - God help you, Harriet.

- You know it all. - What? What?

I know nothing. Nothing.

What is it, Walter?

No one will speak to me.

No one will tell me anything. What is it?

Is it so very bad?

I believe it’s just about as bad as it could be.

You’d better have stayed a Vincy all your life.

And so had my poor Rosamond.

Ah, sister. It’s a bad business.

Look up, Nicholas.

(sobbing)

Rosamond: None of them will come, Tertius.

Not one.

Everyone indisposed, or otherwise engaged.

We shall have to be content with each other.

You know we must leave Middlemarch now.

What have you heard?

Everything...

I suppose.

My father told me.

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

- Nice trip? - Yes, thank you.

How my orders came to be disobeyed, I still don’t know.

It’s one of those cases which are judged on a man’s character.

And Bulstrode’s character has enveloped me, you see,

in the public eye, because I took his money.

Well it’s done now.

It can’t be undone.

I cannot believe that this should have happened to you.

You meant to lead a higher life than the common

and to find better ways.

Yes, I had some ambition.

I thought I had more strength and mastery.

I cannot rest in this as unchangeable.

Suppose we kept on the hospital

according to the present plan?

People would gradually come round to you.

They would soon see that your purposes were pure.

That might do if I had my old trust in myself.

Nothing galls me more than the notion of running away before this slander.

Still, I can’t ask anyone to put a great deal of money

into any plan which depends on me.

I am very uncomfortable with my money.

I need to do something good with it.

The hospital would be one good.

Helping to make your life quite whole

and well again would be another.

You have the goodness as well as the money

to do all that, but –

you know what sort of bond marriage is.

I cannot now take any step

without considering my wife’s happiness.

She married me...

without knowing what she was going into.

I cannot see her miserable.

When she saw the good that might come of staying?

She would not see it.

And indeed, I have lost all spirit

about carrying on my life here.

We have not been able to talk to each other about it.

She may fear that I really have done something base.

May I go and speak with her?

If Mrs. Lydgate knew that there were friends

who would believe in you, she might be glad

that you should stay and recover your hopes.

Perhaps then you would see how important it is

that you continue at the hospital.

Surely you would, if you still have faith

in it is a means of making your knowledge useful.

You need not decide immediately.

I cannot concern it,

to being the cause of your goodness being wasted.

Let the new hospital be joined to the old infirmary

and everything go on as if I never had never come to Middlemarch.

I can think of nothing for a long while

but getting an income and supporting my wife.

Let me at least help you in that way,

give you an annual sum until you are free from wants.

I can’t allow myself to be pensioned for work I never achieved!

I must think what will please the world and bring in money,

look for an opening in the London crowd and push myself.

That’s the sort of shell I must creep into

and try to keep my soul alive in.

That is not brave...

- to give up the fight. - No.

It is not brave.

You have made a great difference by believing in me.

If you can clear me in a few other minds,

especially in Farebrother’s,

I should be deeply grateful.

Mr. Farebrother will believe.

Others will believe.

I will take any pains to clear you.

You will do me another great kindness then,

and come and see my wife?

Oh yes, of course I will.

You have achieved much in Middlemarch.

Nothing to what I dreamt of.

Humankind has advanced by small steps

as well as great ones, does it not?

I must believe that.

Perhaps.

I sometimes wake very early,

go out alone,

and imagine I can hear the cries

of all the scurrying creatures in the grass.

There’s so much suffering in the world.

I think of it as a kind of

muffled cry on the other side of silence.

If our senses were sharp enough to apprehend it all,

I think the pain of it would destroy us.

I think we should be glad we are not too sensitive.

And work in any small way we can

to help our fellow creatures.

- Come in, my lady. - Is Mrs. Lydgate at home?

Oh, I’m not sure.

- Would you like to walk upstairs? - Thank you.

If you’d like to wait in the drawing room there...

I’ll see if she’s upstairs.

(talking quietly)

I’m so sorry, Mrs. Lydgate.

The servant didn’t know you were here.

I came to deliver a letter for Dr. Lydgate.

- Oh please – - Goodbye.

- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

- Will your packages be arriving, ma’am? - No, thank you, Pratt.

Is there anything...?

(sobbing) Why?

Why?

I did love him.

I did love him.

(crying)

Morning, ma’am.

Morning!

Looks like a fine one.

Yes.

Yes it does!

Dorothea: Believe me, your husband has warm friends.

We’ve not left off believing in his high character.

I have spoken to Sir James Chettam and Mr. Brooke,

and Mr. Farebrother.

They all believe in your husband.

That will cheer you, will it not?

That will give you courage.

Thank you.

You are very kind.

I did not think you would be so kind.

I...

I know that your husband cares more

for your happiness than anything else.

Nothing hurts him more

than that his misfortunes must hurt you.

The reason he told me this was because

I was very bold and asked him.

Tertius is so angry and impatient with me.

If I say anything...

Marriage is so unlike anything else.

There is something even awful

in the nearness it brings.

But even if we loved someone else better,

better than those we were married to, it would be of no use.

I know it may be very dear,

but it murders our marriage.

And then the marriage stays with us, like a murder.

And everything else is gone.

And then our husband,

if he loved and trusted us,

and we have not helped him, but made a curse in his life –

You are thinking what is not true.

When you came in yesterday, it was not as you thought.

In my unhappiness,

I had turned to him for comfort.

He told me that he loved another woman,

and could never respond to me.

He said yesterday that no other woman

existed for him besides you.

He said he could not explain to you

what had happened because of me.

But now, I have told you

and he cannot reproach me anymore.

No, he cannot.

- You’re not leaving? - Yes, I must.

Thank you, Parsons.

We have had a long talk. And I think –

I hope it has done some good.

Mrs. Casaubon, I must thank you for the generous check.

When one is grateful for something too good for common thanks –

No, it is I who am grateful I was able to help.

And I must tell you that I have spoken

to Mr. Farebrother and our other friends

and all of them now believe in you utterly.

Well?

What do you think of Mrs. Casaubon?

I think she must be better than anyone.

And she is very beautiful.

If you go and talk to her so often,

you will be more discontented with me than ever.

But has she made you any less discontented with me?

I think she has.

Oh, Tertius,

how heavy your eyes are.

And do push your hair back.

(sighs)

Mr. Ladislaw!

Mr. Ladislaw.

- What’s this? - From Mrs. Lydgate.

Rosamond’s voice: “I have told Mrs. Casaubon the truth.

“that there was never anything between us,

“that you have always loved her, and her alone.

“You will not have anything to reproach me with now.

“I shall not have made any difference to you.”

Bulstrode: Harriet?

Harriet?

Is there anything you would wish me to do, Harriet,

with regard to the property?

I would like it if we could do something

for Rosamond and her husband before we leave Middlemarch.

Walter says that they will have almost nothing.

Dr. Lydgate has rejected any further service from me, Harriet.

He has returned the £1,000 I lent him.

Mrs. Casaubon has now advanced him that sum.

But, we might do something for your nephew Fred.

He might be prepared to take over this house as tenant.

Caleb Garth, before he left my service,

told me Fred was much changed.

And was likely to turn out very well.

Would it be of satisfaction to you

if Fred were to take Stone Court?

Yes, it would.

- (gasps) - Stone Court?

But Bulstrode never had a good word to say about me.

Well, it seems he’s changed his mind... as have others.

Not all bad, Nicholas Bulstrode.

I don’t think many men are.

Well I shall certainly make a go of it, Mr. Garth.

Mind you do.

We can get married at once now, Mary.

- You’ll be so poor! - Oh, Kitty.

And what about your plans?

James would have taken any trouble for you.

And you might have gone on all your life doing what you liked.

On the contrary, I never could do anything I liked.

I’ve never carried out any plan yet.

Because you always wanted things that wouldn’t do.

You would have Mr. Casaubon with his great soul.

And now to think of Mr. Ladislaw –

who’s got no estate or anything.

- Oh Kitty. - Well, it’s very serious, Dodo!

And you’ll go away among queer people,

and live in a street. and I shall never see you.

And nor should little Arthur.

- If you don’t ever see me, it will not be my fault. - Yes it will.

How can I come to you or have you with me

when James can’t bear it?

Is he very fond of you, Dodo?

I hope so.

I’m very fond of him.

That is nice.

Only I would rather you had such a sort of husband as James is,

with a place very near that I could drive to.

I cannot think how this all came about.

I daresay not.

Can’t you tell me?

No, Kitty.

You would have to feel with me,

else you would never know.

Narrator: Dorothea never repented

that she had given up position and fortune

to marry Will Ladislaw,

who was eventually returned to Parliament

by a constituency which paid his expenses.

Lydgate built up a successful practice,

alternating between London

and a continental bathing place.

He always regarded himself as a failure.

He died at 50,

leaving his wife and four children well provided for.

And Mrs. Lydgate soon afterwards married

an elderly and wealthy physician,

who took kindly to the children.

All who have cared for Fred Vincy and Mary Garth

will like to know that these two achieved

a solid, mutual happiness.

Fred became rather distinguished as a farmer.

But was always prone to believe

he could make money by the purchase of a horse,

which turned out badly.

Though this, Mary observed,

was of course the fault of the horse,

not of Fred’s judgment.

They had three children, all boys.

Never became rich, but saved enough

to become the full owners of Stone Court.

And Dorothea –

she had no dreams of being praised above other women,

feeling that there was always something better

which she might have done

if she had only been better and known better.

Her full nature spent itself in deeds

which left no great name on the earth.

But the effect of her being on those around her

was incalculable.

For the growing good of the world

is partly dependent on unhistoric acts,

and on all those Dorotheas

who live faithfully their hidden lives,

and rest in unvisited tombs.