# The Results of Love and Wine explained — The Way We Live Now

> Chapter companion for The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Sir Felix Carbury lies in bed, sick and ashamed, after failing to elope with Marie Melmotte. His mother, Lady Carbury, learns from Mr. Broune that Felix may have taken money from Marie, and she is urged to recover it and send him abroad. Felix confesses to having received £250 from Marie, which he lost at play. Lady Carbury writes to Mr. Broune with the story, though she doubts its truth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Lady Carbury lies to Hetta about Felix's journey and struggles to believe Felix's confession, while Mr. Broune advises her to act for the family's credit.

### Family Obligation and Selfishness

Felix's selfishness ruins his mother financially and emotionally; Lady Carbury is torn between protecting her son and saving her daughter from ruin.

### Speculation and Ruin

Felix gambles away the money meant for his elopement, leading to his personal and financial ruin.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Felix Carbury

Lies in bed all day, sick and ashamed after failing to elope with Marie Melmotte; confesses to having received £250 from her and losing it at play.

### Lady Carbury

Pours out her troubles to Mr. Broune about Felix; searches Felix's pockets; writes to Mr. Broune with Felix's confession.

### Mr. Broune

Advises Lady Carbury to recover the money from Felix and send him abroad; offers to help repay the sum.

### Hetta Carbury

Mentions that Mary says Felix came back and did not go; Lady Carbury cannot bring herself to tell her the truth.

### Marie Melmotte

Attempted to elope with Felix; traveled to Liverpool and was met by police; Felix failed to join her.

## Key lines

> He told her of the exceeding weight upon his shoulders, under which an Atlas would have succumbed.

Mr. Broune complained to Lady Carbury about the heavy burdens of his work.

_Mr. Broune exaggerates his own importance and troubles to gain Lady Carbury's sympathy._

> The world of London generally knows what it is about, and the London world believes Mr. Melmotte to be sound.

Mr. Broune asserts that London society trusts Melmotte's financial integrity.

_Mr. Broune dismisses Mr. Alf's attacks on Melmotte, reflecting the prevailing social opinion._

> Find out what money he got from Miss Melmotte and I will see that it is repaid.

Mr. Broune offers to repay the money Felix took from Marie if Lady Carbury can recover it.

_Mr. Broune takes a practical step to protect the family's reputation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lii-the-results-of-love-and-wine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters