The Way We Live Now · Chapter
Sir Felix Protects His Sister explained
Sir Felix Carbury, facing financial ruin and social disgrace after the failed elopement with Marie Melmotte, attempts to collect debts from Miles Grendall and Mr.
What happens
Sir Felix Carbury, facing financial ruin and social disgrace after the failed elopement with Marie Melmotte, attempts to collect debts from Miles Grendall and Mr. Melmotte, receiving only depreciated railway scrip. Bored and idle, he resumes his pursuit of Ruby Ruggles, visiting her at Mrs. Pipkin's house and vaguely promising marriage. Meanwhile, Lady Carbury, opposed to Paul Montague's courtship of Hetta, seeks Roger Carbury's help to expose Montague's entanglement with another woman.
Themes in this chapter
Speculation and Ruin
Sir Felix's receipt of worthless railway scrip from Melmotte highlights the speculative bubble and financial ruin central to the novel.
Deception and Hypocrisy
Lady Carbury's manipulation of Roger Carbury to expose Paul Montague's past while hiding her own schemes exemplifies the theme.
Love vs. Practicality
Hetta's steadfast love for Paul contrasts with Lady Carbury's practical objections based on poverty and reputation.
Characters to notice
- Sir Felix Carbury
Financially desperate and idle, he tries to collect debts, receives worthless scrip from Melmotte, and resumes his pursuit of Ruby Ruggles.
- Ruby Ruggles
Imprisoned at her aunt's house, she joyfully reunites with Sir Felix and accepts his vague promise of marriage.
- Lady Carbury
Opposed to Paul Montague's courtship of Hetta, she seeks Roger Carbury's help to expose Montague's entanglement with another woman.
- Hetta Carbury
Melancholy after her mother's harsh words but remains steadfast in her love for Paul Montague.
- Mrs. Pipkin
Weakly allows Sir Felix to meet Ruby, but later demands he put his intentions in writing.
- Augustus Melmotte
Pays Sir Felix with depreciated railway scrip instead of cash, reflecting his own financial troubles.
Key passages
“Up to this period of his life Sir Felix Carbury had probably felt but little of the punishment due to his very numerous shortcomings.”
Sir Felix had never faced real consequences for his many failures until now.
Opening reflection on Felix's long-avoided reckoning.
“He had eaten and drunk, had gambled, hunted, and diverted himself generally after the fashion considered to be appropriate to young men about town. He had kept up till now. But now there seemed to him to have come an end to all things.”
Felix had lived a typical young gentleman's life of pleasure, but now it seemed over.
Felix's realization that his carefree life is ending.
“Sir Felix cursed the Great Financier aloud, and left the scrip for sale.”
Felix angrily left the nearly worthless shares for a broker to sell.
Felix's frustration with Melmotte's payment in scrip.