EngLits: Silas Marner by InterLingua Publishing

Author:InterLingua Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterLingua Educational Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Godfrey is watching Nancy from a distance at the party when he is startled by the figure of Silas Marner carrying a child. Immediately, he knows the child is his and that his dark secret has come to haunt him. When Silas says there is a dead woman lying on the snow near his house, he fears his wife might not actually be dead. Everybody remarks on how pretty the child is and offers to take her in, but Silas staunchly refuses, saying he can’t part with it and will not let it go as it came to him first and he has got the right to keep it. Dr. Kimble and Mr. Crackenthorp rush to Silas’s cottage, while Godfrey goes to fetch Dolly Winthrop, who tells him he isn’t needed, but he insists that he stays.

Walking around Silas’ cottage, Godfrey wonders what his next action should be. He knows he should reveal that Molly was his wife, claim the child, and raise her, but he does not have enough moral courage. He continues to think about the possibility or impossibility of marrying Nancy Lammeter if Molly lives or dies. Dr. Kimble comes out of Silas’ cottage and says the woman has been dead for a while. Godfrey sees the face of his dead wife one last time, and then turns his attention to the child in Silas’ arms, evoking a serene, calm presence that awes him. Although he feels somewhat jealous looking at the little girl in someone else’s arms, she only has eyes for Silas. When Silas informs him he would like to keep the little girl as his own, Godfrey gives him money for her care.

When Godfrey returns to the party, he wonders how he can win Nancy’s heart by saying all she wants to hear, by promising that he will be what she wants him to be. Now that Molly is no longer a threat, he feels an unusual confidence and security for his future. Even the thought of Dunsey’s blackmail does not faze him; he figures he can win his brother over now that the past cannot hurt him. He promises himself that he will ensure the child be taken care of, but will see to it not to jeopardize his happiness by acknowledging the girl as his own.

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