The Way We Live Now · Chapter
Where "The Wild Asses Quench Their Thirst" explained
The Beargarden club collapses after Vossner's defection, leaving members in disarray.
What happens
The Beargarden club collapses after Vossner's defection, leaving members in disarray. Sir Felix Carbury, facing social ruin, announces plans to travel abroad with a clergyman. A tense confrontation with Lord Grasslough exposes Felix's cowardice and heartlessness, while Dolly Longestaffe and Lord Nidderdale reflect on the club's demise and their own futures.
Themes in this chapter
Speculation and Ruin
The Beargarden's collapse after Vossner's theft and Melmotte's suicide illustrates the domino effect of financial speculation and moral decay.
Deception and Hypocrisy
Sir Felix's pretense of seeking 'new scenes' and self-improvement contrasts with his actual heartlessness and cowardice, exposed by Grasslough.
Love vs. Practicality
Nidderdale's fondness for Marie Melmotte is tempered by practical considerations; her marriage to Fisker underscores the transactional nature of relationships.
Characters to notice
- Sir Felix Carbury
Arrives at the Beargarden seeking dinner and play, but finds the club in ruins. He announces his plan to travel with a clergyman, but is exposed as heartless and cowardly by Grasslough.
- Dolly Longestaffe
Describes the club's collapse, laments Vossner's absence, and refuses trusteeship on Squercum's advice. He mediates the quarrel between Felix and Grasslough with characteristic detachment.
- Lord Nidderdale
Reflects on the Beargarden's end with melancholy, expresses fondness for Marie Melmotte, and vows to reform by reading blue books and dining at the Carlton.
- Lord Grasslough
Confronts Sir Felix about the street row, calling him 'bad all round,' and later expresses his bitterness in the cardroom.
- Marie Melmotte
Mentioned as marrying Fisker; Nidderdale expresses lingering fondness for her.
Key passages
“I haven't seen a card this fortnight. There hasn't been anybody to play. Everything has gone to the dogs.”
Dolly Longestaffe reports that the club has been inactive and in decline for two weeks.
Highlights the club's desolation after Vossner's flight.
“I don't think I'm heartless at all. I'm good-natured to everybody that is good-natured to me—and to a great many people who ain't.”
Dolly defends his character, claiming he is kind even to those who are not kind to him.
Contrasts Dolly's self-assessment with the general condemnation of Felix's heartlessness.
“I shall begin reading blue books tomorrow, and shall dine at the Carlton. Next session I shan't miss a day in the House, and I'll bet anybody a fiver that I make a speech before Easter.”
Lord Nidderdale vows to reform his idle ways by studying parliamentary papers and attending the House of Commons.
Shows Nidderdale's ironic resolution to abandon club life for political duty.