Are there any similarities or differences in the way which Eliot presents Silas’ gold and his daughter, Eppie?

When Silas comes to discover that his gold has been stolen he is in much despair. He goes to drastic heights to find out who the thief might be by accusing one totally innocent member of the Raveloe community, Jem Rodney, the local poacher. Without even thinking Silas storms down to the Rainbow Inn where he expects to find Jem and so he does. The villagers have many views on Silas because never has anyone spoken to him nor does Silas mingle with them.

Godfrey Cass, a well respected villager, son of Squire Cass, the wealthiest man in Raveloe has a secret that is untold to anyone but his brother, Dunstan Cass that cannot be revealed. Dunstan the man who is responsible for the theft of Silas' gold promises to keep the secret about Godfrey's wife and child but asks for money from Godfrey now and again. If Godfrey refuses to lend money to Dunstan he is petrified that Dunstan my let the word loose about Godfrey's hidden family therefore always agrees to lending his brother money. Godfrey's secret wife, Molly Farren was walking towards Raveloe when she feeds her drug addiction of opium and falls over. The baby no longer in Molly's arms toddles towards the village of Raveloe and enters Silas Marner's cottage where she falls asleep next to the fireplace. When Silas sees the child in his home he struggles to tell what it is and thinks it may be the return of his gold and realises it was not as seemed he think that he is dreaming of his own small sister because he manages to work out that it is a baby girl laying there.

Silas' memories of his much loved gold come back as the feel of Eppie's hair feels somewhat similar as to the touch of his long lost gold. The same feelings return to him as he has found a new love that he will cherish as much as he did to his gold. The feelings for his gold are full of love that they are initially possessive and he will do anything for his newfound love not to be taken from him. Godfrey recognises Eppie as his own and confronts Silas with a demand for his child back. Silas tells Godfrey that nobody can take this new love of his away from him unless they can prove it to be their own. Godfrey knowing that if he admits it is his child the secret about his wife, now dead, Molly Farren will be revealed therefore chooses to let Eppie go with Silas.

Silas' newfound treasure, the child is named Hephzibah after a biblical character but Eppie for short. As Silas is parenting Eppie he wants nothing but the best for her so he feeds her with interests, needs and church attendance. These things re-connect Silas and the villagers where Silas becomes a known member of their community. Eppie brings Silas to friendship from the villagers whereas the gold now much forgotten made him distant from all that.

Now sixteen years on Eppie is grown up and asks Silas' blessing so that she may marry Aaron Winthrop, a gardener who is helping create Silas' and Eppie's new garden. Silas and Eppie's closeness is at such great heights they cannot be parted so Eppie tells Silas that if she wed Aaron they shall all live together under one roof. Eppie has replaced the gold in so many good ways for Silas he wants nothing in his life to be altered.