Tom, Maggie and their mother are once more living at the mill. On a rowing trip on the river, Maggie is dismayed when Stephen creates the situation in which it looks as if they are eloping.

Tulliver is dead and his wife and family have left the mill. Maggie has unhappily fallen in love with Stephen Guest, her cousin Lucy's fiancé.

Wakem is now owner of the mill and Tulliver his embittered employee. Tom has told Maggie she must stop seeing Philip Wakem or he will never speak to her again.

Tulliver has suffered a stroke and through his unsuccessful law-suit has reduced his family to poverty. Deane has promised to try and help by finding work for Tom and persuading Guest & Co to buy the mill so that the Tullivers can stay on.

Tulliver has lost his lawsuit against Wakem and been ordered to pay costs. No longer able to afford Tom's school fees, he has had the boy brought home.

Tulliver has failed to solve his financial problems and the head-strong Maggie has decided not to stay with the gypsies.

Maggie, in a tantrum, has cut her hair off. Tulliver has decided to spend money he can ill afford on Tom's education, and quarrelled with Aunt Glegg.

Maggie Tulliver, the miller's daughter who defies her embittered brother and shocks the Victorian society in which she lives by following the dictates of her heart, is one of George Eliot's most memorable creations.