'What is the matter? You are distressed.'

Grayscale illustration of a somber woman and a man coming forward to comfort her in a well-furnished sitting room.

This scene depicts Lydgate tenderly comforting Rosamond in a moment of feigned distress, an action that leads to their engagement. This highlights the calculation in Rosamond’s display and the superficiality of their connection. The narrator explains, “That moment of naturalness was the crystallizing feather-touch: it shook flirtation into love.” "His words were quite abrupt and awkward; but the tone made them sound like an ardent, appealing avowal. 'What is the matter? you are distressed. Tell me, pray'" (Book 3, Chapter 31).

Brock, Charles E. (1870-1938)

George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org

1908

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Brock, Charles E. (1870-1938), 'What is the matter? You are distressed.', George Eliot Illustrations Gallery, George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/83490