# Another Scene in Bruton Street explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Melmotte attempts to force Marie to sign over property she holds in her name, but she refuses. The confrontation escalates into a violent scene, with Madame Melmotte screaming and Croll intervening. Melmotte's financial schemes unravel as he faces pressure from the Longestaffes and other creditors.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Financial Transaction

Melmotte views Marie's marriage to Lord Nidderdale as a financial arrangement, using her property as a bargaining chip.

### Speculation and Ruin

Melmotte's financial schemes are collapsing; he desperately tries to secure funds to avoid ruin.

### Family Obligation and Selfishness

Melmotte demands absolute obedience from Marie for his own survival, while she asserts her own will and independence.

## Character check-ins

### Augustus Melmotte

Attempts to coerce Marie into signing over property; loses his temper and becomes violent when she refuses.

### Marie Melmotte

Defies her father, refusing to sign the papers despite threats and physical intimidation.

### Madame Melmotte

Present during the confrontation; screams in fear and tries to intervene, but is ultimately powerless.

### Herr Croll

Bursts into the room after hearing screams; witnesses the scene and later follows Melmotte downstairs.

### Adolphus Longestaffe

Mentioned as having left the house earlier; Melmotte had promised to pay him and Dolly for the Pickering property.

### Dolly Longestaffe

Mentioned as a party to the Pickering property transaction; Melmotte had promised payment.

## Key lines

> Nec pueros coram populo Medea trucidet.

Let not Medea slaughter her children before the public.

_The narrator invokes the classical myth of Medea to foreshadow the violent confrontation between Melmotte and Marie._

> Ah, Melmotte, tu la tueras!

Ah, Melmotte, you will kill her!

_Madame Melmotte screams in French, fearing that Melmotte's rage will physically harm Marie._

> Pig! wicked, ungrateful pig.

Pig! Wicked, ungrateful pig.

_Melmotte insults Marie after she refuses to sign the papers, revealing his contempt for her defiance._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters