“I think his friends must wait till they find an opportunity,” added Mr. Farebrother.  “It is possible—­I have often felt so much weakness in myself that I can conceive even a man of honorable disposition, such as I have always believed Lydgate to be, succumbing to such a temptation as that of accepting money which was offered more or less indirectly as a bribe to insure his silence about scandalous facts long gone by.  I say, I can conceive this, if he were under the pressure of hard circumstances—­if he had been harassed as I feel sure Lydgate has been.  I would not believe anything worse of him except under stringent proof.  But there is the terrible Nemesis following on some errors, that it is always possible for those who like it to interpret them into a crime:  there is no proof in favor of the man outside his own consciousness and assertion.”

“Oh, how cruel!” said Dorothea, clasping her hands.  “And would you not like to be the one person who believed in that man’s innocence, if the rest of the world belied him?  Besides, there is a man’s character beforehand to speak for him.”

“But, my dear Mrs. Casaubon,” said Mr. Farebrother, smiling gently at her ardor, “character is not cut in marble—­it is not something solid and unalterable.  It is something living and changing, and may become diseased as our bodies do.”

“Then it may be rescued and healed,” said Dorothea “I should not be afraid of asking Mr. Lydgate to tell me the truth, that I might help him.  Why should I be afraid?  Now that I am not to have the land, James, I might do as Mr. Bulstrode proposed, and take his place in providing for the Hospital; and I have to consult Mr. Lydgate, to know thoroughly what are the prospects of doing good by keeping up the present plans.  There is the best opportunity in the world for me to ask for his confidence; and he would be able to tell me things which might make all the circumstances clear.  Then we would all stand by him and bring him out of his trouble.  People glorify all sorts of bravery except the bravery they might show on behalf of their nearest neighbors.”  Dorothea’s eyes had a moist brightness in them, and the changed tones of her voice roused her uncle, who began to listen.

“It is true that a woman may venture on some efforts of sympathy which would hardly succeed if we men undertook them,” said Mr. Farebrother, almost converted by Dorothea’s ardor.

“Surely, a woman is bound to be cautious and listen to those who know the world better than she does.” said Sir James, with his little frown.  “Whatever you do in the end, Dorothea, you should really keep back at present, and not volunteer any meddling with this Bulstrode business.  We don’t know yet what may turn up.  You must agree with me?” he ended, looking at Mr. Farebrother.

“I do think it would be better to wait,” said the latter.