Silas was robbed by Dunstan, but the treasure that replaced his gold was Godfrey's daughter. Thus the two original plots become further interwoven, for now that Silas' gold has been returned, Godfrey feels able to claim his own. But he finds that this is not the sort of transaction that can be completed so neatly, for human feelings enter into it. He has neglected his duty, and in the process his "rights" as a father have vanished.
Godfrey suffered for his weakness in the past, but he kept his suffering to a minimum by refusing to face the cause. He still has not faced the issue, for he is not yet concerned with Eppie, but with himself: "He had been full of his own penitence and resolution to retrieve his error." Now he is baffled that Eppie does not want to be "retrieved." That he has no concept of what his daughter wants is shown by his fear that "she may marry some low working man," which is just what Eppie desires.
Nancy is in a difficult position. She believes in "principle," and by that belief Eppie is Godfrey's. She also loves her husband and wishes to protect him. For these reasons, she partly takes his position and his narrow point of view: "We shall want for nothing when we have our daughter." She, too, speaks of "a duty you owe to your lawful father." But it is implied that she does so out of concern for Godfrey rather than from conviction.
