Middlemarch

The Featherstone relations gather at Stone Court for the reading of the will — "like animals entering the Ark in pairs" on a limited store of fodder, each suspicious of the others' claims. Jealousy of the Vincys has created a general fellowship of hostility among the blood family; the fear that Fred might get the land is the dominant anxiety, though there is abundant leisure for vaguer jealousies as well, such as those entertained toward Mary Garth. The mysterious frog-faced stranger from the funeral — whose name is now understood to be Rigg — takes a seat near the door with unaltered calm. Solomon and Jonah have gone upstairs with the lawyer to search for the will. Mr. Trumbull stands at the fireplace trimming himself, well satisfied that he has been taken into confidence; Mrs. Waule leans toward him hopefully. Fred's composure is nearly undone by the sight of Rigg's face across the room — Mary rescues him by quietly exchanging seats so he can get into a shadowy corner. Mr. Standish reads first the will of 9th August, 1825: small bequests of two hundred pounds each to brothers and sisters, one hundred each to nephews and nieces — the Garths unmentioned; Mrs. Vincy and Rosamond each one hundred; Trumbull the gold-headed cane and fifty pounds. And then: ten thousand pounds in specified investments to Fred Vincy. Fred can hardly help smiling. Mrs. Vincy feels herself the happiest of women. But there is a second will — dated 20th July, 1826, with a codicil of 1828. In it, everything is revoked except the bequests to the small legatees and the codicil. The land lying in Lowick parish, all stock and household furniture: left to Joshua Rigg, sole executor, who is to take the name of Featherstone. The residue of the entire property: devoted to the erection and endowment of almshouses for old men, to be called Featherstone's Alms-Houses, and built near Middlemarch — the testator wishing, so the document declared, "to please God Almighty." "Nobody present had a farthing; but Mr. Trumbull had the gold-headed cane." A rustling that seemed like a shudder runs round the room. Mr. Vincy calls it the most unaccountable will he ever heard. Trumbull says he would never have believed the old soul capable of such eccentricity. Solomon says Peter was always a fine hypocrite. Mrs. Waule says it's very hard. Caleb Garth says quietly he wishes there was no such thing as a will. Mary Garth is most agitated of all — knowing that she had virtually determined the production of this second will. She dared not look at Fred. In the hall, meeting him as she prepares to leave with her father, she has courage enough at last to meet his withered, pallid glance. He says he must now go into the Church — knowing it will vex her, but she must then tell him what else he can do. She says: "Be brave, Fred. I do believe you are better without the money. What was the good of it to Mr. Featherstone?" Stone Court is quickly cleared of all its long-accustomed visitors. Mr. Joshua Rigg walks coolly up to the lawyer with business questions, in a high chirping voice and a vile accent.