The Way We Live Now · Chapter
The Meeting in Bruton Street explained
Following Melmotte's suicide, Marie Melmotte takes charge of the chaotic household, showing strength while her pseudo-mother collapses.
What happens
Following Melmotte's suicide, Marie Melmotte takes charge of the chaotic household, showing strength while her pseudo-mother collapses. She sends for Lord Nidderdale, who helps her navigate the immediate aftermath, consulting with Herr Croll and Mr. Smith about her financial situation. Croll reveals that Marie's money is protected from her father's debts. Marie and Nidderdale part amicably, acknowledging their engagement is over.
Themes in this chapter
Speculation and Ruin
Melmotte's suicide is the culmination of his financial overreach, triggered by Cohenlupe's desertion and the collapse of railway shares.
Gender and Power
Marie Melmotte demonstrates strength and agency in crisis, contrasting with Madame Melmotte's helplessness, yet still relies on a male ally (Nidderdale) for practical support.
Marriage as Financial Transaction
The end of Marie and Nidderdale's engagement underscores the transactional nature of their relationship, now void without Melmotte's fortune.
Characters to notice
- Marie Melmotte
Shows remarkable composure after her father's suicide, taking charge of the household and sending for Lord Nidderdale for practical help.
- Madame Melmotte
Overwhelmed by grief and fear, she collapses into hysterics upon learning of her husband's death.
- Lord Nidderdale
Responds to Marie's summons, helps arrange legal and financial matters, and parts from her kindly, acknowledging the end of their engagement.
- Herr Croll
Provides Lord Nidderdale with details of Melmotte's financial collapse and assures him that Marie's money is protected from her father's debts.
- Augustus Melmotte
Dead by suicide, his body lies in the study; his ruin is attributed to Cohenlupe's desertion and the fall of railway shares.
Key passages
“She stared at the woman who first conveyed to her tidings of the tragedy, and then for a moment seated herself at the bedside. But the violent sobbings and hysterical screams of Madame Melmotte soon brought her again to her feet, and from that moment she was not only active but efficacious.”
Marie initially reacts with shock to the news of her father's death, but quickly becomes practical and effective, taking charge as Madame Melmotte succumbs to hysterics.
Highlights Marie's resilience and contrasting weakness of Madame Melmotte.
“It was afterwards said by some of those who had seen her at the time, that Marie Melmotte had shown a hard heart on the occasion. But the condemnation was wrong.”
Observers criticized Marie for not showing enough grief, but the narrator defends her, explaining that her father had never inspired love or respect.
Explores the theme of genuine vs. performed grief.
“Croll had alluded to the use of his own name, but did not on this occasion make any further revelation.”
Croll hinted that Melmotte had improperly used his name in some financial matter, but did not elaborate.
Foreshadows potential legal complications for Melmotte's estate.
“My lor, de money of de yong lady is all her own. Nobody can toch it, not if he vas in debt millions.”
Croll assures Nidderdale that Marie's personal fortune is legally protected from her father's creditors.
Crucial plot point: Marie's financial independence.
