"Cliff Notes - Silas Marner" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cliff Notes)horse to Dunstan to sell for the money, but Dunstan carelessly
kills the horse in a hunting accident. On his way home, Dunstan passes Silas Marner's cottage and sees it empty, with the door open. Walking in, he finds Silas' hoard of gold and steals it, disappearing into the night. When Silas returns home and finds he's been robbed, he is devastated. Godfrey learns that his horse was found dead. When Dunstan doesn't return, he explains to their father about the money. Squire Cass is angry with Dunstan, but he doesn't probe into why Godfrey lent his shiftless brother the money. He does pressure Godfrey to marry his sweetheart Nancy Lammeter, and Godfrey, still hiding his marriage, hopes somehow he can still marry Nancy. Though desolated by his loss, Silas is drawn doser to human society by the sympathy of the villagers, especially his neighbor Dolly Winthrop. Dunstan has still not returned home--his family and friends assume he has simply run away. On New Year's Eve, at Squire Cass' annual big party, Nancy Lammeter avoids Godfrey, feeling hurt that he hasn't proposed to her. While he tries to woo Nancy, outside in the snow Godfrey's wife is heading toward the house. She intends to force Godfrey to acknowledge her by appearing at the party with their child. But addiction overcomes her; she takes a dose of opium and passes attracted by the light shining from a nearby cottage. It is Marner's home--he has fallen into another trance and left his door open. When he comes to, he sees the little girl, her hair shining so brightly that at first he thinks his lost gold has magically returned. After finding the mother in the snow, Silas goes to the Squire's house to fetch the doctor. Recognizing the child in Silas' arms, Godfrey guiltily joins the rescue party, but finding his wife dead, he keeps her identity a secret. Silas is determined to keep the child, like a treasure he has found. He names her Eppie after his own sister, and he even takes her to church to be christened. His care for Eppie forces him to become part of village life. His love for her changes his personality. As Eppie grows up, Godfrey watches her silently, and occasionally helps Silas out with money. But he doesn't acknowledge her, because now that he's free, he has married Nancy. Sixteen years pass. Silas and Eppie are happily devoted to each other. Dolly Winthrop's son, Aaron, is Eppie's sweetheart. But at the Cass house, Nancy worries about her marriage. After one stillbirth, she hasn't been able to conceive a child, and |
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