[light orchestra music] [birds chirping] -[horse snorting] -[hooves tramping] -[clomping] -[door clicking] Tertius, here is a letter for you.

It's my Uncle Godwin.

Rosamond?

It would 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 to you.

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

As to my supplying you with a thousand pounds, 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 cost 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, [loud slamming] for God's sake, say so and defy me!

I shall at least know what I am doing then!

[Rosamond crying] 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 future?

[sobbing] You expect me to make promises, when you have such cruel words against me.

Rosamond.

[Rosamond] I think you ought to apologize.

[sobbing] 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, [sobbing] and to live in such a miserable way.

[sobbing] I wish I had died with the baby.

-[sobbing] -[somber music] -[billiards clicking] -[lively chattering] [man] Hundred up, game to Mr. Hiram.

[suspenseful music] [man shushing] Let him concentrate.

-[clicking] -[loud laughing] [man] Dear, oh, dear, oh, dear!

-[clicking] -[applauding] [man] Hundred up, game to Mr. Horrocks!

[suspenseful music] [Bambridge] Bad luck, Dr. Lydgate.

[clinking] Go another, sir?

Certainly.

Lydgate, Mr. Farebrother is anxious to speak to you.

Farebrother.

Yes, he's just outside.

Yes, of course.

Just finished a game.

Excuse me, excuse me, gentlemen.

[laughter] [Lydgate] What does he want?

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.

[clicking] [man] 65.

[somber music] [clomping] You all right, old chap?

Whoa!

You're in no fit state to walk.

Where you goin'?

See an old friend.

Old Nick Bulstrode, must see old Nick Bulstrode again.

I'll take you to Stone Court, come on.

You're very kind sir, you're very kind.

-[horse snorting] -[clomping] [Caleb] Have you known Mr. Bulstrode a long time?

[Raffles] Aye, a good many years.

[Nicholas] Put him in the small bedroom, Mrs. Abel.

[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 would oblige me by sending for Dr. Lydgate if you are going that way.

Aye, I will.

[clomping] 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?

[Caleb] I'll stand, thank you, sir.

[scoffing] 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?

[Caleb] 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'm 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 goin' now.

[clomping] 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 to you.

[suspenseful music] [Nicholas] The man was in my employment many years ago.

And afterwards he went to America.

I feel I should do my utmost for him.

What's his name?

Raffles, John Raffles.

The case is serious, I apprehend?

Yes and no.

He had a good constitution to start with, but years of abuse have weakened him.

The symptoms you describe are consistent with delirium tremens, not fatal in itself.

His liver may give out at any time.

His system is full of poison.

[Raffles moaning] 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.

[Nicholas] Thank you, you are very good.

Strange, is it not?

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

When we do, that is.

[clomping] -[loud clomping and snorting] -[clock chiming] [man] Careful with that lot!

Don't put it on the side.

Have you got it?

Aye, there you are.

Slide it in.

[clomping] Ah, Dr. Lydgate.

I took the trouble of comin' 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 says I am to come and live at home again until you have found a proper place for me.

[somber music] 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 they holy work on earth.

[dramatic music] Why do you continue to torment me?

Why do you not die?

[groom] I'll water him for you, sir.

Good boy.

[Nicholas] What do you think?

His symptoms are worse.

You are less hopeful?

No, I think he may yet come 'round.

[Raffles grunting] I am 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 and crying] 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 a 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.

A thousand pounds, 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.

[slamming] [clomping] Rosamond, we are out of our difficulties!

I have cleared all our debts today.

Everything is secured.

The furniture, the silver, the jewelry, everything.

Oh, Rosy, I am so sorry.

The anguish I must have caused you.

But now we 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?

Listen, you were right, but we must learn from this, and try to be more economical.

I will devote more time to my practice.

And 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 is 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.

[laughing] Why not, if that will make you happy.

Oh, Tertius!

It makes me very happy.

[cooing] -[grunting] -[slurping] 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!

[knocking] 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.

[trickling] All right now, all right then.

There we are.

I'll make you feel better.

[Raffles] For Christ's sake, woman!

Get me some brandy!

[Mrs. Abel] Oh, I don't know!

I wouldn't take it on meself.

It's more than my position's worth!

Well, I'll go and ask the master.

[knocking] Mr. Bulstrode, sir?

What is it?

[Mrs. Abel] 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 yelling] 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 yelling] [Mrs. Abel] Oh, thank you, sir, I'll dose him up directly.

I'm sure it's for the best.

[fire crackling] [thudding] [clomping] [moaning and clinking] [Mrs. Abel] Careful, careful.

Now that's enough, give me that now.

That's it.

[Raffles coughing and moaning] I don't understand.

When did the change begin?

Between three and four o'clock, 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.

[birds cawing and rustling] It's over.

[clopping] More work for the undertaker, eh?

Morning to you, Mr. Bambridge!

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, and Bulstrode's a close man.

Close as wax, well known for it.

So why's he paying for another man's funeral?

Who's the man?

His name was Raffles.

Raffles, Raffles and Bulstrode.

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?

[laughing] 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!

[snorts] I don't need anybody tellin' me there's been more goin' on, nor the prayer book's got a service for.

I don't need to sit winkin' and blinkin' and thinkin'.

They should dig him up and have the Crowner!

That's right!

[Hiram] With that being done, if there was foul play, they should find it out.

Not they, Hiram.

I know what doctors are, they're a deal too cunning.

This Lydgate will have drugs you can neither smell nor see.

[Bambridge grunting] You mark my words, they've done away with that poor soul!

The pair of 'em!

[crowd muttering] [Powderell] Morning, gentlemen.

[tapping] 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.

[men] Aye.

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

[murmurs of assent] 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.

[murmuring] 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.

[loud murmuring and chattering] [tapping] There are practices and there are acts, which the law cannot visit, though they may be worse than many things which are legally punishable.

Yes.

That's true, that's true.

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.

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.

[loud talking and tapping] I protest against the 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!

[men loudly grumbling] I repudiate your canting Christianity, sir.

-[men] Aye!

-And call on you again to answer the charges laid against you or resign!

[men yelling] [Powderell] Allow me, Mr. Hawley.

-And as for the way-- -Resign!

I spend my income, I don't maintain thieves or cheat offspring of their inheritance!

-[men yelling] -[man] Scum!

In order to set myself up as a saintly kill-joy!

[Powderell] Mr. Hawley!

[loud muttering] Mr. Bulstrode, it is not desirable, I think, to prolong the present discussion.

Since 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, [muttering and guffawing] and avoid further hindrance to business.

[man] Yeah, come on, on your feet!

[men muttering and taunting] [yelling and grumbling] [clopping] [whispering] I'm very sorry, but Mrs. Plymdale is not at home.

[whispering] [clopping] 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?

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 cleared.

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, Harriet.

You'd better have stayed a Vincy all your life, and so had my poor Rosamond.

Ah, sister, it's a bad business, isn't it?

[somber music] Look up, Nicholas.

[both sobbing] [Rosamond] None of them will come, Tertius, not one.

Everyone indisposed or otherwise engaged.

We shall have to be content with each other, it seems.

You know we must leave Middlemarch now.

What have you heard?

Everything, I suppose.

My father told me.

[clopping and whinnying] [bleating and barking] [clopping and clucking] Morning, sir.

Good morning, yes, thank you.

[rooster crowing] 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.

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.

But 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 as a means of making your knowledge useful.

[Tertius sighing] You need not decide immediately.

I cannot consent 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 had never come to Middlemarch.

I can think of nothing for a long while, but getting an income and supporting my wife.

Well, let me at least help you in that way.

Give you an annual sum until you are free from want.

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 shall be deeply grateful.

Mr. Farebrother will believe.

Others will believe.

I will take any pains to clear you.

[somber music] You can do me another great kindness, then, and come and see my wife.

Yes, of course I will.

You have achieved much in Middlemarch.

Nothing to what I dreamt of.

Humankind does advance 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.

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.

[birds chirping] Come in, my lady.

Is Mrs. Lydgate at home?

Oh, I'm not sure.

Would you like to walk upstairs?

Thank you.

[clomping] If you'd like to wait in the drawing room there, I'll see if she's upstairs.

[murmuring] I'm so sorry, Mrs. Lydgate.

The servant didn't know you were here.

I came to deliver a letter for Dr. Lydgate.

Please!

Goodbye.

[dramatic music] Good afternoon, ma'am.

Good afternoon.

Will you take your tea in the library, ma'am?

No, thank you, Pratt.

Is there anything?

[dramatic music] [sobbing] Why?

Why?

[dramatic music] I did love him.

[dramatic music] I did love him.

[dramatic music] [sighing and sobbing] [sobbing] -[birds singing] -[somber music] Morning, ma'am.

Morning!

Looks like a fine one.

Yes, yes it does.

[dramatic music] Believe me, your husband has warm friends, who have 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 that you would be so kind.

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.

[Rosamond sobbing] 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 beside 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.

[dramatic music] 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.

[somber music] 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.

[somber music] Mr. Ladislaw, Mr. Ladislaw.

-What's this?

-From Mrs. Lydgate.

[Rosamond Voiceover] 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.

[lush orchestra music] 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 thousand pounds 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, Harriet, if Fred were to take Stone Court?

Yes, it would.

-[serene music] -[birds singing] Stone Court?

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

Well, 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!

[lush orchestra music] [birds singing] [lush music building] -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 that 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 has 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 shall little Arthur.

Well, Celia, 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.

[gentle orchestra music] [George Eliot Voiceover] 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.

[clopping] [light orchestra music]