Middlemarch

The Vincy family is wealthy and aloof, though Fred Vincy has "debt on his mind" (323). Their eldest children are spoiled and, though they have known the Garth family for a long time, Mr. and Mrs. Vincy now try to keep away from the family who they consider to be lower-class. Fred owes "small debts" (326) to several people after "some losses at billiards" (324). He has lamed a horse and accumulated many gambling debts, but he is yet to ask his father for money. Instead, he visits Mr. Garth and asks for a small loan. Mr. Garth agrees.

Fred's father already owes money for Fred's university, even though Fred failed to finish his exams. Rather than prolong his "little episode of […] alleged borrowing" (331), Fred decides to sell his horse. He goes to the "Houndsley horse-fair” (353) with Mr. Bambridge (one of his debtors) and Mr. Horrock. The two men are known for their disreputable behavior. They convince Fred to swap his horse and £30 for another horse, believing that Fred can "make money" (338) by selling the new horse at a profit.