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He had once believed that nothing would urge him into making an application for money to his uncle , but he had not then known the full pressure of alternatives yet more disagreeable . He could not depend on the effect of a letter ; it was only in an interview , however disagreeable this might be to himself , that he could give a thorough explanation and could test the effectiveness of kinship . No sooner had Lydgate begun to represent this step to himself as the easiest than there was a reaction of anger that he — he who had long ago determined to live aloof from such abject calculations , such self - interested anxiety about the inclinations and the pockets of men with whom he had been proud to have no aims in common — should have fallen not simply to their level , but to the level of soliciting them . CHAPTER LXV . One of us two must bowen douteless , And , sith a man is more reasonable Than woman is , ye [ men ] moste be suffrable . — CHAUCER : Canterbury Tales . The bias of human nature to be slow in correspondence triumphs even over the present quickening in the general pace of things : what wonder then that in 1832 old Sir Godwin Lydgate was slow to write a letter which was of consequence to others rather than to himself ? Nearly three weeks of the new year were gone , and Rosamond , awaiting an answer to her winning appeal , was every day disappointed . Lydgate , in total ignorance of her expectations , was seeing the bills come in , and feeling that Dover’s use of his advantage over other creditors was imminent . He had never mentioned to Rosamond his brooding purpose of going to Quallingham : he did not want to admit what would appear to her a concession to her wishes after indignant refusal , until the last moment ; but he was really expecting to set off soon . A slice of the railway would enable him to manage the whole journey and back in four days . But one morning after Lydgate had gone out , a letter came addressed to him , which Rosamond saw clearly to be from Sir Godwin . She was full of hope . Perhaps there might be a particular note to her enclosed ; but Lydgate was naturally addressed on the question of money or other aid , and the fact that he was written to , nay , the very delay in writing at all , seemed to certify that the answer was thoroughly compliant . She was too much excited by these thoughts to do anything but light stitching in a warm corner of the dining - room , with the outside of this momentous letter lying on the table before her . About twelve she heard her husband’s step in the passage , and tripping to open the door , she said in her lightest tones , “ Tertius , come in here — here is a letter for you . ” “ Ah ? ” he said , not taking off his hat , but just turning her round within his arm to walk towards the spot where the letter lay . “ My uncle Godwin ! ” he exclaimed , while Rosamond reseated herself , and watched him as he opened the letter . She had expected him to be surprised .
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