Middlemarch

Now a widow, Dorothea Casaubon is concerned that she was not a good wife to her late husband. He in turn continues to make her unhappy from the grave having added a codicil to his will disinheriting her were she to marry Will Ladislaw. She does agree with Dr. Lydgate's suggestion and offers Reverend Farebrother her husband's chaplaincy. Dr. Lydgate's cousin, Captain Lydgate comes for an extended visit and strikes a great friendship with the doctor's wife. Despite her husband's repeated requests, she continues to go riding with the Captain despite her advancing pregnancy. Fred Vincy returns from successfully completing his studies at Oxford with the intent of entering the clergy. There's a bit of revolution in the air with common men demanding the right to vote. Arthur Brooke is running for Parliament on a reform platform, but at a major rally he is ridiculed and forced off the stage and becomes a bit of a laughingstock. He decides to reconsider his intention to run. Nicholas Bulsrode is approached by an old business partner who knows much about his past.

Dr. Lydgate's financial position continues to deteriorate and he is forced to take a loan using the furnishings in his house as collateral. When he shares this information with his wife and suggests that they find ways to economize, she reacts petulantly blaming him for their situation. He refuses her suggestion that he ask his rich Uncle Godwin for the money. Fred Vincy confides in Reverend Farebrother that he cannot truly see himself as a preacher. He would like to establish himself in another profession but mostly he would like to marry Mary Garth. He asks Farebrother to speak to her on his behalf, but it may not be a wise choice. Nicholas Bulstrode continues to be tormented by a man from his past. Dorothea decides to establish a colony on the land she has inherited.

Dr. Lydgate's finances have reached a crisis and many of his furnishings are repossessed. Unbeknownst to him, his wife Rosamond has written to his uncle Godwin asking for £1000 but he responds directly to Lydgate in a most deprecating manner. Lydgate approaches Nicholas Bulstrode who agrees to lend the funds. Bulstrode's nemesis has also returned but when the man dies in his house, rumors sweep the village that he was complicit in the man's death. Having accepted money from Bulstrode, Dr. Lydagate's reputation is also tarnished and no one will speak to him. Having returned to Middlemarch, Will Ladislaw declares his love for Dorothea. Fred Vincy and Mary Garth agree to get married.