Silas Marner

After a long, difficult journey, Nancy arrives at the Cass party with her father. Godfrey helps Nancy from her carriage, much to her annoyance. She believes that she has been quite clear: She does not intend to marry Godfrey Cass. He annoys her, whether he is paying attention to her or ignoring her. Nancy shares a dressing room with other women, including the Gunn sisters. Since they come from a larger town, the Gunn sisters look down on the people of Raveloe. Nancy’s Aunt Osgood is also in the dressing room. As they prepare for the dance, the Gunn sisters are intrigued by Nancy’s “rustic beauty” (104). Priscilla, Nancy’s sister, arrives at the party. Priscilla is well aware that she is not attractive, and she subtly insults the Gunn sisters, then dismisses Nancy’s disparaging attitude toward marriage.

Downstairs, Nancy sits between Godfrey and Mr. Crackenthorp, a local priest. The sight of the large house makes her think of a future where she is married to “the young man of quite the highest consequence in the parish” and in charge of her own household (109). However, she reminds herself of how little she thinks of Godfrey’s character. When these thoughts make her blush, Crackenthorp alerts Godfrey, who tries to ignore her.