Middlemarch, Chapter 70 summary
Chapter 70 of 88 · Book 7: Two Temptations · 20 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 70, Bulstrode lends Lydgate a thousand pounds, then leaves Raffles with a housekeeper without explaining when to stop the opium and permits forbidden brandy. Raffles dies, and Lydgate avoids investigating the unexpected death while becoming uneasily aware that his financial rescue binds him to a man whose motives he doubts.
What happens
- Bulstrode searches Raffles’s pockets for evidence of his movements and follows Lydgate’s instructions through a night of delirium.
- Lydgate prescribes carefully limited opium and forbids alcohol, while Bulstrode reverses his refusal of financial help.
- Bulstrode gives Lydgate a thousand pounds, hoping to secure his goodwill against possible revelations.
- Leaving Mrs. Abel in charge, Bulstrode omits the stopping instructions for opium and gives her access to brandy.
- Bulstrode conceals the medicine vial and removes the brandy; Lydgate arrives as Raffles dies and declines to investigate.
- Farebrother congratulates Lydgate on escaping immediate financial danger, but their conversation sharpens Lydgate’s doubts about Bulstrode’s generosity.
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What crucial instruction does Bulstrode fail to give Mrs. Abel?
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