# Melmotte Again at the House explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Melmotte returns to the House of Commons, maintaining a defiant facade despite widespread knowledge of his financial ruin and forgery. Lord Nidderdale distances himself, and Melmotte's isolation grows. He dines alone, smokes, and attempts to speak but collapses, drunk and disgraced.

## Themes in this chapter

### Speculation and Ruin

Melmotte's financial empire collapses, leading to his social and legal downfall.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Melmotte maintains a bold front in the House despite universal knowledge of his crimes.

## Character check-ins

### Augustus Melmotte

Defiantly attends the House, drinks heavily, and collapses after attempting to speak.

### Lord Nidderdale

Distances himself from Melmotte, advises him to see his father, and leaves the House.

### Mr. Lupton

Observes Melmotte's situation and discusses it with others in the lobby.

### Beauchamp Beauclerk

Present in the House; Melmotte collapses over his shoulders.

### Mr. Brown

Refuses Melmotte's cigar and expresses bitterness over past attacks.

## Key lines

> He would have better studied his personal comfort had he gone to his bed, and spent his evening in groans and wailings.

He would have been more comfortable if he had stayed home and lamented privately.

_Narrator reflects on Melmotte's wretchedness despite his audacious public behavior._

> It was thus that Augustus Melmotte wrapped his toga around him before his death!

This was Melmotte's final dignified pose before his ruin.

_Ironically compares Melmotte's defiance to a Roman senator's noble death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxiii-melmotte-again-at-the-house
- 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