Daniel Deronda

Grandcourt and Gwendolen develop their relationship. Grandcourt respects propriety and manners, never breaking the physical boundaries as dictated by social etiquette. She resists her temptation to let him know that she has met Lydia. She does not know that he is aware of her knowledge of his illegitimate children, and he takes pleasure in tempting Gwendolen to confront him, which she never does.

Gwendolen is nervous to see Deronda again. She remembers the way in which he gazed at her in Germany. She hears a rumor about Deronda’s mysterious past, a rumor that might lead to him being denied any part in Sir Hugo’s will. The idea reminds Gwendolen of Lydia’s son, and she is concerned once again. She assures herself that she has no responsibility for the actions of others. Marrying Grandcourt, she tells herself, will not change anything.

The following day, Gwendolen agrees to join the fox hunt with Deronda and Grandcourt. When she has the opportunity, she asks Deronda in private about their previous meeting. She wonders whether he judged her for gambling. He offers her obtuse but supportive comments. Men always hope that women will be better than they are themselves, he tells Gwendolen. The conversation between Gwendolen and Deronda piques Grandcourt’s jealousy.

The narrative returns to the past to explore the relationship between Grandcourt and Lydia Glasher. Ten years ago, Grandcourt met the wife of an Irish military officer. After Grandcourt fought a duel with the officer, he and Lydia ran away together and married in private. Grandcourt had never known passion as intense as the passion he felt for Lydia. Even in the present day, he loves her enough to seriously consider marrying her after the death of her husband and the child from her first marriage. Lydia does not remember her husband fondly, so the prospect of running away with Grandcourt has always appealed to her. She is willing to endure anything now for the sake of the four children she had with Grandcourt.

Though Grandcourt rarely sees Lydia or any of his children by her, he provides them with financial support. Eventually, he feels the need to tell Lydia that he is engaged to marry Gwendolen. He wants to gift his mother’s diamonds to his fiancée, so he asks Lydia to give them back to him. Lydia has thus far refused to do so, and she is still reluctant. She does not give the diamonds up willingly but—after a tense and bitter standoff—she eventually agrees to send them to Grandcourt’s estate, named Ryelands, where he intends to spend his wedding night. Lydia promises not to annoy Grandcourt again.

The day of the wedding arrives. Mrs. Davilow has spent most of the previous night in tears, but Gwendolen is excited as she prepares for the ceremony, while her soon-to-be husband is “ecstatically quiescent.” After the wedding, he gives her a tour of Ryelands, kissing her hand and leaving her in the bedroom. He did not expect to be so in love with his bride. A servant brings a package for Gwendolen. Inside are the diamonds and a note from Lydia. Gwendolen reads the note, which gravely insults Grandcourt and accuses Gwendolen of stealing away Lydia’s true love. The knowledge of what Gwendolen has done to Lydia, the note explains, will be Gwendolen’s “curse.” When Grandcourt comes to fetch Gwendolen, he finds her in a shocked trance. His appearance breaks the spell and she erupts in a series of violent screams as the diamonds are scattered across the floor.

Deronda travels to London. He is pleased that he has given Grandcourt the inkling of an idea. He knows that Sir Hugo intends to invite Grandcourt and his new wife to the Mallinger home for Christmas. This frees up Deronda’s schedule, meaning that he can visit the Meyrick home. He discovers that the family has taken very fondly to Mirah. She has found herself a synagogue, which she attends regularly. During his trip to Europe, Deronda spent time learning about Jewish culture so that he could understand Mirah better when he returned. Though he finds much of the culture beautiful, he does not like “vulgar Jews” (307). In Frankfurt, for example, he was moved by the prayers he heard in one synagogue. After the service, a man approached him and asked to know his mother’s name. The man seemed to recognize something in Deronda, who responded only that he was “an Englishman.”

In the Meyricks’ home, Deronda is delighted to discover that Mirah is a talented singer. He suggests that she can make money by offering music lessons to rich clients. Deronda and Mrs. Meyrick talk about Hans’s imminent return. They both suspect that Hans will immediately fall in love with Mirah, so they arrange for him to stay with Deronda. For his part, Deronda can understand exactly why any man would immediately fall in love with Mirah. He suspects, however, that she could never love someone who was “not of her race and religion” (317).

More frequently, Deronda explores London’s Jewish communities. He visits shops and synagogues, familiarizing himself with the people and culture. He is keen to learn more about Jewish people, while also half-interested in seeking out Mirah’s relatives. In one pawnshop, he notices that the store belongs to a man named Ezra Cohen. He knows that this is Mirah’s brother’s name. Returning to the neighborhood the following day, he visits a used bookstore. He finds a book, written by a Jewish philosopher, that interests him. The store is run by a dirty, intense man in his early thirties. The man claims to be watching the store while the owner is away. When he speaks to Deronda, he asks whether Deronda is Jewish. When Deronda says that he is not, the man seems disappointed.

After leaving the bookstore, Deronda returns to the pawnshop. He has a plan to ask about pawning a ring as a pretext to ask further about the name Ezra Cohen. The whimsical owner of the story introduces Deronda to his mother, Mrs. Cohen, and his wife, Addy Cohen. The couple has three children: Jacob, Adelaide Rebekah, and Eugenie Esther. As Deronda speaks to Mrs. Cohen, he asks whether she has ever had a daughter. He notes that she immediately seems uncomfortable and turns away. Deronda says that he will return later in the day with the ring. Ezra agrees to meet Deronda, despite the Jewish Sabbath. He tells Deronda to return in the evening to share a meal.

That evening, Deronda returns to the store. He is surprised when the door is opened by a Christian servant, who then shows him inside the apartment located next to the shop. The family has dressed up for the Jewish Sabbath, beginning on the Friday evening. Ezra invites Deronda to sit with them, suggesting that they will finish their deal after dinner. Deronda accepts the invitation. Next, the “enigmatic” man from the bookstore enters. He is named Mordecai and he joins the family to observe the rituals. Deronda observes and partakes when he can. He and Ezra agree on a price with regard to the ring. As Ezra and Mordecai pray, Deronda learns that Mordecai is a family friend who once worked for Ezra. At one point, he became too sick to work but Ezra’s family took him into their home. He helps to teach their son, even if he is something of an “encumbrance.” After dinner, Ezra and Deronda conclude their deal. Ezra takes the ring and gives Deronda a pawn ticket and £40. Deronda promises himself that he will return and learn more about his hosts and Mordecai.