Welcome back Middlemarchers! We move into the second book, prefaced with "Old and Young". Let's keep this in mind as we read onwards. (Copied from prior year)

Summary

Chapter thirteen opens with Mr. Vincy following up on Fred's request that Mr. Featherstone demanded. We find Mr. Bulstrode at the bank, get a description of him and follow him in conversation with the good doctor. He is trying to both help Mr. Lydgate in his approach to build a fever hospital with a teaching element in the provinces and get something out of him. We learn about jealousy in the local elections and Mr. Bulstrode tries to butter him up by denouncing the old medical guard. In return, he wants Lydgate to help him overturn Mr. Farebrother's position on the infirmary clerical order and replace him with Mr. Tyke. Mr. Lydgate does not take the bait and they almost begin to argue when Mr. Vincy enters. He also invites Mr. Lydgate to dine with them as he leaves. Mr. Bulstrode is not delighted with Mr. Vincy's request to absolve Fred. He berates Vincy on how he has raised Fred and, naturally, this angers Mr. Vincy, who defends Fred. Mr. Vincy threatens to contact his sister, Harriet, who is Mr. Bulstrode's wife, and does not want conflict in the family. Mr. Bulstrode agrees to send the letter after consulting her.

Chapter fourteen finds Fred visiting Mr. Featherstone with his requested letter. Although opaque in wording, Mr. Bulstrode clears Fred. Fred visits Mr. Featherstone in his bedroom, where the old man reads the letter, mocks everyone in turn and calls for Mary Garth to boss her around. Fred notices she looks like she's been crying. Mr. Featherstone makes a present to Fred, who finds it less than he hoped but thanks him. The letter is burned and Fred dismissed. He goes to find Mary Garth and they bicker. Fred basically confesses his love for her and offers her marriage when he is settled in the world. Mary rejects him as work shy and indolent, but Fred shakes it off later. He entrusts the money to his mother. Then, Eliot drops a Middlemarch bombshell- the creditor who holds Fred's signature for £160 also holds Mary's father's signature!

Onwards to the discussion below!