I assume you are referring to Godfrey in Book II of this
incredible novel rather than Book I. In Book II, of course, Godfrey has received his
"lucky escape" of being able to rid himself of his unfortunate choice of first wife
without people discovering the truth about him. He has since married Nancy, whom he has
desired for so long, and when Book II opens, sixteen years have passed between the end
of Book I. However, as Chapter Seventeen makes clear, the one element that prevents
perfect felicity in the marriage between Nancy and Godfrey is that Nancy is unable to
bear children. This has led Godfrey to suggest to Nancy that they adopt, and in
particular adopt Eppie, his legal daughter, but Nancy is reluctant to agree to this
proposal, and we see Nancy questioning whether she was right to reject this
idea:
Had she
done everything in her power to lighten Godfrey's privation? Ha she really been right in
the resistance which had cost her so much pain six years ago, and again for years
ago--the resistance to her husband's wish that they should adopt a
child?
Note how this quote
identifies the "privation" that Godfrey is suffering at having no heir, and also the
probable guilt that he feels when he sees his rightful daughter that he has disowned to
all intents and purposes. "Adopting" Eppie would allow him to appease his guilt whilst
also giving him a child to call his own and not revealing his shameful
secret.
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