Middlemarch

Lydgate regrets ever coming to Middlemarch. His professional ambitions are unrealized, his reputation is ruined, and his marriage has been an "unmitigated calamity" (1050). Increasingly, he suspects that Bulstrode deliberately did not follow his orders not to mix opium and alcohol. Then, he wonders whether the loan clouded his judgment. In the "uneasy corner of Lydgate's consciousness" (1053), he wonders whether the money prevented him from recognizing the suspicious nature of the death of Raffles. However, he still trusts Bulstrode and assures himself that he would happily consign himself to "beggary" (1055) rather than have people believe that he accepted a bribe.

Mrs. Bulstrode notices how differently she is treated by her friends. Only when she speaks to her brother does she begin to realize why they are treating her with "pity" (1061) and awkward avoidance of certain topics. By the time she returns home, she is "deathly pale" (1066). When Bulstrode returns home, he knows immediately that his wife knows what has happened. He sinks into a miserable state, worried that his wife will never look at him with affection ever again. He is mistaken. She treats him with sympathy and compassion. They weep together. She cannot bring herself to ask him how many of the rumors are true and he cannot bring himself to say that he is "innocent" (1070). 

Rosamond is bored. Though she no longer needs to worry about money, the only entertainment in her life is the "occasional letter" (1072) from Will. Rosamond suspects that Will is in love with her. He writes, announcing that he plans to visit Middlemarch. Rosamond is delighted and plans a "small evening party" (1074) without telling Lydgate. The news of the dinner party reaches him nonetheless and he is very angry, especially as many of Middlemarch's notable residents have declined their invitations. Rosamond is confused as to why no one wants to attend. He tells her that people do not want to be associated with the rumors surrounding her husband. Rosamond feels a "sense of justified repugnance towards her husband" (1077) but she does not discuss the matter with Lydgate. Instead, she waits until he mentions the rumors. He wants her to tell him that she believes he is innocent. He hopes that they can deal with the problem together. Instead, she suggests that they leave Middlemarch and "go to London" (1080) instead.

Dorothea invites Lydgate to her house. She wants to "discuss the question" (1082) of the hospital in view of Bulstrode leaving Middlemarch. Lydgate reveals that he also plans "to leave the town" (1084), so cannot continue to work at the hospital. Dorothea brings up the recent scandal, hoping that Lydgate will assure her that he is "not in any way guilty" (1086). Lydgate is happy that someone believes in him. He tells her the truth and she promises to defend his reputation around Middlemarch, though she will try to protect Bulstrode's reputation as well. When Lydgate hints at troubles in his marriage, he is relieved when Dorothea offers to "go to see" (1091) Rosamond. As he leaves, Lydgate thinks about how Dorothea is everything he ever wanted in a wife. He speculates whether the rumors about Will's interest in her were ever true. Later, Dorothea writes a £1,000 check which she intends to give to Rosamond. She does not need the "superfluous money" (1095) but it will allow Lydgate to clear his debt to Bulstrode.

Dorothea hears the rumors about the connection between Will and Bulstrode's first wife. She refuses to change her mind about the "blameless" (1098) Will, even if his family history is scandalous. Dorothea discusses the Lydgate matter with Farebrother, who assures her that the doctor is innocent. Then, Dorothea visits Rosamond. She accidently happens on a strange scene: Will is visiting Rosamond, who has "a flushed tearfulness" (1103) and her hands clasped in his. Dorothea is shocked. She leaves the "important letter" (1104) to Lydgate (containing the check) with the servant and quickly exits. Next, she passes around Middlemarch, sharing news of Lydgate's innocence.

Will is horrified that Dorothea saw him in a strange position with Rosamond. Feeling a sudden "rage" (1109), he knows that Dorothea will misconstrue what has happened. Rosamond is less concerned. She tries to calm Will's nerves but she only serves to anger him further. She suggests that he go after Dorothea, but he is sure that she will never love him if she believes that he is in love with Rosamond. Will's angry reaction almost overwhelms Rosamond. When Will leaves, she throws "herself on the bed with her clothes on" (1112). Lydgate returns home later to find his wife laying in bed, claiming to be sick. He assumes that Dorothea caused the sudden onset of sickness.

Will visits Lydgate that evening to inform him that he visited the house during the "earlier visit" (1114). He does not want the doctor to hear a false rumor about him. When he visits, Rosamond is still sick. Lydgate shares the "latest version" (1115) of the rumors, including those which pertain to Will himself. Will stays silent on Bulstrode's attempt to return the ill-gotten inheritance but he is pleased to hear that Dorothea has been defending his reputation. Lydgate shares his plans to move to London and Will pities "poor Lydgate" (1117), knowing that his romantic and professional ambitions have not been realized.

Dorothea is experiencing "waves of suffering" (1121). She spends all night thinking about her "anger" (1122) with Will and the sight of him holding Rosamond's hand. The following day, she resolves to put her emotions to one side and to visit Rosamond. She promised to speak to Rosamond on Lydgate's behalf and she feels that she must do so as "quietly and unnoticeably as possible" (1126).

Rosamond is reluctant to receive Dorothea. She eventually agrees but worries that Dorothea has come only to show off "about Will" (1130). With a "nervous exaltation" (1132), Dorothea defies Rosamond's expectations. She insists that Lydgate loves Rosamond and wants to make his wife happy, though she makes a pointed remark about not loving anyone other than her husband. Rosamond is swept along on Dorothea's wave of emotion. She assures Dorothea that she misconstrued the sight of Will holding Rosamond's hand. Instead, Rosamond says, Will was telling a sad story of how he "loved another woman" (1138). Dorothea reiterates that Lydgate "loves" (1140) Rosamond and then departs. The women understand each other much better after their exchange of "serious emotion" (1141).

Will is finally ready to admit that the reason he returned to Middlemarch was to see Dorothea. Though he considers returning to London, he wants to "confide in Lydgate" (1143) and seek his friend's advice. While visiting, Rosamond passes him a "tiny bit of folded paper" (1146). In the note, she explains that she talked to Dorothea about the true nature of the strange scene in which Will held her hand.

Will sends Miss Noble as an emissary from himself to Dorothea. He "begged [Miss Noble] to ask" (1150) Dorothea for a meeting. They meet and Will tells Dorothea the truth about his past and how Bulstrode "privately offered" (1153) him money. He explains that he believes Dorothea would have disapproved of him accepting the money. As a storm builds outside, Will and Dorothea finally confess their "love" (1156) for one another. However, Will says that they "can never be married" (1157) because he is only a poor man. Dorothea assures him that she does not "mind about poverty" (1158). Instead, she resents her own fortune. As they embrace, she assures him that she has some money of her own put aside.

Freshitt Hall" (1159). Arthur arrives "in a state of nervous perturbation" (1161). Once he has made enough small talk about politics, Arthur announces the good news: "Dorothea is going to be married again" (1162). The room descends into chaos. Chettam loudly announces that he disapproves of "Dorothea degrading herself" (1164). Mrs. Cadwallader blames Casaubon for orchestrating the entire "disagreeable" (1165) situation. Celia arranges to meet Dorothea and congratulates her on the "wonderful" (1172) news.

Bulstrode talks to his wife. He confesses part of his sins, but it is enough to make him feel grateful for her "duteous merciful constancy" (1174). Seeking her advice about property arrangements, he assures her that Lydgate is no longer in his debt and has "virtually rejected any further service" (1176). He comes up with a plan for Stone Court: rather than pay rent, Fred will simply pay him a percentage of the profits from the successful management of the estate. Bulstrode asks his wife to discuss the "proposal" (1177) with Mr. Garth.

Mr. Garth accepts Bulstrode's proposal. He tells Mary about Fred "managing the land" (1181) at Stone Court; he believes that this means the young couple is now able to marry even sooner than expected, since Fred has both a job and a home.

The story ends with a look into the future. Fred and Mary settle down and achieve “a solid mutual happiness” (1184). Lydgate and Rosamond continue their unhappy marriage and he dies aged 50 after running a service exclusively for wealthy patients. Despite his wealth, Lydgate “always regarded himself as a failure” (1188). After his death, Rosamond marries “an elderly and wealthy physician” (1189). Dorothea regrets that she did not do more for Rosamond and Lydgate. She marries Will and they have a long, happy, loving marriage. In Middlemarch, many people remember her as a woman who made two poor marriages. However, the narrator believes that these people are foolish. Such attitudes hinder the success of “many Dorotheas” (1193) whose triumphs are unrecognized.