Middlemarch

Lydgate believes that “nothing less than a thousand pounds” (921) would ease his financial problems. Added to the financial anxiety, he knows that he is being distracted from his actual, important work by his “bitter moody state” (923). He repeatedly asks Rosamond to exercise more financial prudence but she does not seem to comprehend the seriousness of their situation. When he explains to her that they should move into a cheaper house, she says that he should ask for a loan from his uncle. They argue. After, Lydgate realizes that Rosamond “will never love [him]” (929) unless he has money.

Rosamond visits the real estate agent and tells him to stop trying to let their house to people. Unknown to Lydgate, she writes to his wealthy uncle to ask for money. She believes her actions are "thoroughly justifiable" (931). Lydgate finds out about the real estate agent and they argue again. Rosamond accuses her husband of marrying her through a "false vision of happiness" (940) by leading her to believe that he was a wealthy gentleman. When Lydgate realizes that she will never be happy without money, he wonders whether he should visit his Uncle Godwin to ask for a loan as "only an interview" (943) would convince the old man to lend money. Rosamond has already planned to write to Godwin on her husband's behalf, unbeknownst to Lydgate.

Lydgate receives a letter from his uncle. Godwin criticizes Lydgate for making Rosamond write to him on Lydgate's behalf. He refuses to loan any money to his nephew. Lydgate is deeply embarrassed by his wife's "secret meddling" (948). He confronts Rosamond, demanding an apology and a promise that she will never act without his knowledge ever again. Rosamond refuses and says instead that Lydgate "ought to apologize" (950) to her. When she cries, Lydgate feels his anger ebb away. He begins to justify her actions to himself. His constant pity, however, shows how much control she has over him. 

Lydgate feels the pressure of his domestic situation and administers opium to himself to deal with his anxiety. He begins playing billiards in the same pub where Fred Vincy built up his gambling debts. At first, he begins by "winning" (956) a small amount of money. Though Lydgate initially thinks that gambling may be the ideal way to resolve his financial problems, a better player arrives and he loses all his winnings. At the same time, Fred Vincy watches the game from the other side of the bar. He is an experienced player but he is "determined not to bet" (958). He does not want to fall into his old habits of gambling. Noticing his brother-in-law Lydgate for the first time, he intervenes as Lydgate is "losing fast" (960). Then, Farebrother calls to him for a private conversation. Fred uses Farebrother's arrival as a "pretext" (961) for taking Lydgate away from the billiard table. Lydgate thankfully accepts, then leaves Fred alone to talk to Farebrother. The priest noticed Fred in the billiard room and he warns Fred that he is still in love with Mary, so Fred must avoid gambling and other vices so as to be "worthy" (965) of Mary's love.

Lydgate makes one final desperate move to solve his financial worries. He plans to "apply to Mr. Bulstrode" (968) for a loan. When the banker calls Lydgate into his office to discuss "a habitual dyspeptic symptom" (971), Bulstrode mentions in passing that he has plans to temporarily stop lending people money and "leave Middlemarch" (973) for a short time. Should he leave, he will not be able to support Lydgate's hospital. He recommends Dorothea as a potential benefactor in his absence, though Lydgate may need to merge the institution with one of the more established hospitals to ensure it remains open. Lydgate listens as his problems seem to be growing worse. He brings up the subject of his own "money difficulties" (976) and asks for a loan. Bulstrode refuses, citing Lydgate's overfamiliarity with the Vincy family. Bulstrode believes that the Vincy family is guilty of "prodigal habits" (977) and they already owe him money. Instead, he suggests that Lydgate's only option is to declare bankruptcy.

At Christmas, Raffles returns to Middlemarch. He finds Bulstrode at home and, to Bulstrode's horror, Raffles's tendency to drink has only gotten worse and he has become even "more unmanageable" (979). Bulstrode allows the alcoholic blackmailer into his home for the night to recover. While Raffles sleeps, Bulstrode thinks about what to do. The next morning is Christmas. Bulstrode rises early and tells Raffles to leave. If Raffles spreads scandalous rumors, he says, Bulstrode will not give him any more money. He sends Raffles away with "a reasonable sum" (981) and the promise of regular payments in exchange for Raffles never returning to Middlemarch.

Even with Raffles gone, Bulstrode makes plans for "quitting Middlemarch" (984). He fears his neighbors learning about his past and turning on him. He and Mr. Garth discuss what to do with Stone Court while Bulstrode is away. Garth recommends "placing Fred Vincy" (986) in charge, which will allow him to learn the business of property management with Mr. Garth keeping a close eye on his protégé. Bulstrode sees this as a way to compensate Lydgate for the refusal to loan him money, by helping Lydgate's brother-in-law. Mr. Garth plans to reveal the good news to Mary and Fred as soon as he evaluates Stone Court for himself.

Bulstrode meets with Mr. Garth at the bank. Mr. Garth reveals that he found Raffles "very ill" (990) at the side of the road. Raffles is now at Stone Court, recovering. While talking to Raffles, however, Mr. Garth learned about Bulstrode's past and he feels compelled to resign from the management of Bulstrode's estate. He assures Bulstrode that Raffles's revelations "will never pass from [his] lips" (993). Feeling a "deep humiliation" (995), Bulstrode returns home and immediately summons Lydgate, who examines Raffles. Lydgate says that Raffles will not die but he insists that Raffles remain in bed and be forbidden from drinking alcohol. His treatment is in line with the latest suggestions for recovering alcoholics. Lydgate returns home, thinking nothing untoward about the incident. At home, Rosamond is "pale and silent" (1001).

Raffles begs for alcohol but Bulstrode follows Lydgate's suggestions "faithfully" (1004). Secretly, he hopes for "the death of Raffles" (1005). Now, Bulstrode regrets his decision not to loan money to Lydgate. He does not want to turn Lydgate into an enemy; he would much rather ensure that Lydgate felt indebted to him. Raffles's condition grows "worse" (1007) during the day. Lydgate is summoned again and recommends a small dose of opium to help with Raffles's alcohol withdrawal. He insists that the opium must be administered very carefully, however, as the patient may die. He also insists that "no alcohol should be given" (1008) to the patient. Before the doctor leaves, Bulstrode writes him a check for £1,000. The loan relieves Lydgate's anxieties.

That night, Bulstrode watches Raffles carefully. He administers the opium himself. Eventually, he tires and summons his housekeeper to watch over the patient. However, he forgets to tell her about the precise dosage for the opium. Later, she tells Bulstrode that the patient has asked for brandy. Even though Lydgate warned about mixing alcohol and opium, Bulstrode gives her "the key of the wine-cooler" (1014). He neglects to tell her not to mix opium and brandy. By the time Lydgate returns to the patient's side the next day, Raffles is dead. The doctor fears that his orders were not followed but he worries that Bulstrode might be offended by the insinuation. He does not want to risk his loan so discusses his situation with Farebrother, including his plans for the future.

The stories about Bulstrode's past spread in spite of Raffles's death. The horse trader Bambridge had been drinking with Raffles, had learned everything, and now holds court in the yard outside a bar to tell everyone in Middlemarch how Bulstrode made his fortune and how the money may rightfully belong to Will. The recent death of Raffles in Bulstrode's home (with the help of Dr. Lydgate) only fuels the "gossip" (1025). Though the local lawyer asserts that there is no legal case against Bulstrode, the "scandalous" (1028) rumors continue to spread. The rumors incorporate news of Lydgate's large loan from Bulstrode, though no one can find anything definitively criminal in the situation. The housekeeper administered the alcohol and opium, not Bulstrode. The provision of alcohol and opium (rather than a complete ban on alcohol) is the traditional prescription for recovering alcoholics but the death of Raffles casts aspersions on Lydgate's medical expertise.

Middlemarch is threatened by a cholera outbreak. After a case is found, the town meets to devise a solution. During a discussion about a quarantined "burial-ground" (1036) for the dead, Bulstrode stands to speak. The lawyer Hawley interrupts, demanding that he "resign public positions which he holds" (1037) until his good name is restored. Bulstrode feels the "agony of terror" (1038). He decries his accusers' "unchristian" (1040) behavior. However, his own priest interrupts and asks him to leave the hall while the people discuss what is to be done. Bulstrode is shocked. Lydgate carefully leads him back home. The sight of Lydgate leading Bulstrode away from the meeting turns them into conspirators in the eyes of the townspeople. Dorothea did not attend the meeting but she hears about it from her Uncle Arthur. She insists that they should strive to learn the truth before assuming the "bad news" (1043) to be true. She trusts Lydgate.