Middlemarch: Book 7, Chapter 68 Summary & Analysis

Bulstrode’s sudden decision to leave Middlemarch was prompted by the return of Raffles on Christmas Eve. Raffles invites himself to stay at Bulstrode’s. As soon as he can, Bulstrode organizes a coach that will take Raffles far away to Isley. He tells Raffles that he will pay him to stay silent, but if Raffles ever shows his face in Middlemarch again Bulstrode will immediately cease all financial support. He says that if Raffles doesn’t leave the house immediately he will call the police. However, even with Raffles gone Bulstrode still feels he can’t stay in Middlemarch, and starts making plans to leave.

Bulstrode asks Caleb Garth to help him find a tenant for Stone Court, and Caleb suggests Fred Vincy, on the grounds that he could be trusted because Caleb himself would be watching over him. Although Bulstrode is not fond of Fred, he agrees in part to please Caleb and in part to satisfy Mrs. Bulstrode, who wanted her husband to help Rosamond and Lydgate with their debt. Busltrode stresses that he couldn’t help his wife’s married relatives, but that he will do Fred the favor of letting him live in Stone Court. Caleb is thrilled, but keeps the plan secret as a surprise for Fred.