# After the Ball explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Sir Felix Carbury returns home from a ball with his mother and sister, then immediately leaves to gamble at the Beargarden club. He wins heavily against Dolly Longestaffe, Lord Grasslough, and Miles Grendall, accumulating over £3,000 in debts owed to him. Meanwhile, Lady Carbury expresses her despair over Felix's gambling and lack of respect, and pressures Hetta to accept her cousin Roger's offer, suspecting her attachment to Paul Montague.

## Themes in this chapter

### Speculation and Ruin

Felix's gambling wins and the debts owed to him mirror the speculative financial schemes of the novel, with the potential for both gain and ruin.

### Family Obligation and Selfishness

Lady Carbury's despair over Felix's selfishness and her pressure on Hetta to marry for family stability highlight the tension between personal desire and familial duty.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Felix Carbury

Wins nearly £2,000 from Grasslough and over £400 from Grendall at the Beargarden; returns to the club after the ball to continue gambling.

### Lady Carbury

Expresses despair over Felix's gambling and lack of consideration; pressures Hetta to accept Roger Carbury's offer.

### Hetta Carbury

Defends her conversation with Paul Montague; refuses to accept her cousin Roger's offer despite her mother's pressure.

### Dolly Longestaffe

Very tipsy at the Beargarden; owes Felix a considerable sum from the night's gambling.

### Miles Grendall

Loses over £400 to Felix; expresses hostility and disputes the settlement terms.

### Lord Grasslough

Chief loser of the night, contesting the amount but unable to reduce it; impecunious but with a father.

## Key lines

> It’s weary work

Felix complains about the ball being tiresome.

_Felix uses this as an excuse to leave his mother and sister and go to the club._

> I think these things should be squared before we play any more!

Felix insists that gambling debts be settled before continuing to play.

_Felix demands payment from Grasslough and Grendall, showing his concern for collecting winnings._

> If you did you would accept your cousin’s offer. What right have you to refuse him? I believe it is all because of that young man.

Lady Carbury accuses Hetta of refusing Roger's proposal due to her attachment to Paul Montague.

_Lady Carbury pressures Hetta to marry Roger for financial and social security._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/v-after-the-ball
- 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