# XIII: The Longestaffes explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Mr. Adolphus Longestaffe, a proud but financially strained aristocrat, visits Mr. Melmotte in the City hoping for a miraculous solution to his debts, but is disappointed to learn that property cannot be created by magic. He secures a loan against his townhouse but is refused a directorship on Melmotte's railway board. Meanwhile, at the family home in Bruton Street, Lady Pomona and her daughters Sophia and Georgiana discuss the impending visit of the Melmottes to Caversham with dismay, debating the social and financial implications. Dolly Longestaffe, the indifferent son, makes a brief appearance, highlighting the family's tensions and his own freedom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Mobility and Class

The Longestaffes, an old landed family, are forced to associate with the wealthy but socially ambiguous Melmottes, highlighting class tensions.

### Speculation and Ruin

Longestaffe's financial desperation leads him to seek help from Melmotte, a speculator, risking further ruin.

### Marriage as Financial Transaction

Lady Pomona suggests Dolly marry Marie Melmotte for her money, treating marriage as a financial arrangement.

## Character check-ins

### Adolphus Longestaffe

Visits Melmotte seeking financial relief, is refused a directorship, and feels his aristocratic pride wounded.

### Augustus Melmotte

Receives Longestaffe in his office, explains he cannot create property, and refuses him a seat on the railway board.

### Lady Pomona Longestaffe

Discusses the Melmotte visit with her daughters, hoping Dolly might marry Marie Melmotte for money.

### Georgiana Longestaffe

Protests against the Melmottes coming to Caversham, showing her sharp tongue and desire for a more fashionable life.

### Sophia Longestaffe

Questions the value of entertaining the Melmottes and dismisses the idea of Dolly marrying Marie.

### Dolly Longestaffe

Strolls into the drawing-room, indifferent to family affairs, enjoying his freedom from the Longestaffe regime.

## Key lines

> He was a silly man, who had no fixed idea that it behoved him to be of use to anyone; but, yet, he had compassed a certain nobility of feeling.

Longestaffe is foolish and lacks a sense of duty, but he maintains a kind of honorable pride.

_Describes the paradoxical character of Adolphus Longestaffe._

> It would be a fine thing if Adolphus would marry her,' said Lady Pomona.

Lady Pomona hopes her son Dolly will marry Marie Melmotte for her wealth.

_Reflects the theme of marriage as a financial transaction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xiii-the-longestaffes
- 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