A study of characterisation in the novels of George Eliot

136.
the simplicity and clearness of her life by admitting a Ground of concealmcmt"
14. and that later when Tom has discovered her meetings V'lith
Philip and very brutally put a stop to them that she is "oonscious of a
certain dim background of belief." 15
It is quite another matter when she falls in love with Stephen, with
all the force of her passionate nature. This is not a case of resisting
a wrongful famiJ.y mandate but of brealdng trust and faithfulness. In the
lanes of Basset whit hex' Stephen has followed her she pleads her case (or
may we be forgiven for thinking that George Eliot pleads it for her?)
that it would be wrong .to ignore the claims on her of Lucy's and Philip's
trust. To do so would "poison their love." 16 She is saying iU effect
what F. D. Unurice was saying earlier, that it is 'twang to walk out of
an obligation just because it has become irk;;ome. "'If,'" she says wistfull
II , l ' f di ' t 1 dut 'f b fIt II 1 7
y, 1 e Q no ma