![]() Shocked by this revelation, and coming to the realisation of his own conscience, Godfrey confesses to Nancy that Molly was his first wife and that Eppie is his child. Eventually, the skeleton of Dunstan Cass-still clutching Silas' gold-is found at the bottom of the stone quarry near Silas' home, and the money is duly returned to Silas. Meanwhile, Godfrey and Nancy mourn their own childless state, after the death of their baby. She has a strong bond with Silas, who through her has found a place in the rural society and a purpose in life. Sixteen years pass, and Eppie grows up to be the pride of the village. Dolly's help and advice assist Marner not only in bringing up Eppie, but also in integrating them into village society. More practical help and support in bringing up the child is provided by Dolly Winthrop, Marner's kindly neighbour. However, he aids Marner in caring for Eppie with occasional financial gifts. Godfrey Cass is now free to marry Nancy, but continues to conceal the fact of his previous marriage-and child-from her. Silas has been robbed of his material gold, but thinks that he has it returned to him symbolically in the form of the golden-haired child. Silas keeps the child and names her Eppie, after his deceased mother and sister, both named Hephzibah. ![]() Molly's death, conveniently for Godfrey and Nancy, puts an end to the marriage. When he goes to the party for help, Godfrey heads outdoors to the scene of the accident, but resolves to tell no one that Molly was his wife. Silas follows the child's tracks in the snow and discovers the woman dead. On the way, she collapses in the snow and loses consciousness. On a winter's night, Molly tries to make her way to Squire Cass's New Year's Eve party with her two-year-old girl to announce that she is Godfrey's wife. ![]() This secret prevents Godfrey from marrying Nancy Lammeter, a young middle-class woman. He is married to, but estranged from, Molly Farren, an opium-addicted working-class woman living in another town. Godfrey Cass, Dunsey's elder brother, also harbours a secret past. Dunsey immediately disappears, but the community makes little of this disappearance since he has vanished several times before. On discovering the theft, Silas sinks into a deep depression despite the villagers' attempts to aid him. One foggy night, Silas' two bags of gold are stolen by Dunstan ("Dunsey") Cass, a dissolute younger son of Squire Cass, the town's leading landowner. He devotes himself wholeheartedly to his craft and comes to adore the gold coins he earns and hoards from his weaving. ![]() Silas travels south to the Midlands and settles near the rural village of Raveloe in Warwickshire where he lives isolated and alone, choosing to have only minimal contact with the residents beyond his work as a linen weaver. With his life shattered, his trust in God lost, and his heart broken, Silas leaves Lantern Yard and the city for a rural area where he is unknown. The woman Silas was to marry breaks their engagement and marries William instead. Lots are drawn in the belief – also shared by Silas – that God will direct the process and establish the truth, but they indicate that Silas is guilty. There is the strong suggestion that Silas' best friend, William Dane, has framed him, since Silas had lent his pocket knife to William shortly before the crime was committed. ![]() Two pieces of evidence implicate Silas: a pocket knife, and the discovery in his own house of the bag formerly containing the money. He is falsely accused of stealing the congregation's funds while watching over the very ill deacon. Silas Marner, a weaver, is a member of a small Calvinist congregation in Lantern Yard, a slum street in Northern England. The novel is set in the early years of the 19th century. ![]()
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