Middlemarch (1994): Season 1, Episode 7 - Episode #1.7 - full transcript

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 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 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.

(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 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.

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 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

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.