'He has got no good red blood in his body'

Grayscale illustration of a man leaning on a mantle with a scowl on his face. An older woman is sitting nearby and sewing, seemingly unconcerned.

'This illustration captures Fred Vincy's earnest proposal to Mary Garth, signifying his maturation and commitment to a life of purpose, driven by his love for her. It represents the triumph of genuine affection and hard-earned stability over youthful idleness and financial uncertainty. "'Humphrey! I have no patience with you. You know you would rather dine under the hedge than with Casaubon alone. You have nothing to say to each other [...] What has that to do with Miss Brooke's marrying him? She does not do it for my amusement. He has got no good red blood in his body,' said Sir James" (Book 1, Chapter 8)

Stephens, Alice Barber (1858-1932)

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

1894

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Stephens, Alice Barber (1858-1932), 'He has got no good red blood in his body', 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/83566