Dorothea Brooke is a 19-year-old orphan, living with her younger sister, Celia, as a ward of her uncle, Mr Brooke. Dorothea is an especially pious young woman whose hobby involves the renovation of buildings belonging to the tenant farmers, although her uncle discourages her. Dorothea is courted by Sir James Chettam, a man close to her own age, but she is oblivious to him. She is attracted instead to the Rev. Edward Casaubon, a 45-year-old scholar. Dorothea accepts Casaubon's offer of marriage, despite her sister's misgivings. Chettam is encouraged to turn his attention to Celia, who has developed an interest in him.
dorothea brooke is a 19-year-old orphan living with her younger sister celia as a ward of her uncle mr brooke dorothea is an especially pious young woman whose hobby involves the renovation of buildings belonging to the tenant farmers although her uncle discourages her dorothea is courted by sir james chettam a man close to her own age but she is oblivious to him she is attracted instead to the rev edward casaubon a 45-year-old scholar dorothea accepts casaubon's offer of marriage despite her sister's misgivings chettam is encouraged to turn his attention to celia who has developed an interest in him