The Way We Live Now · Chapter
XIX: Hetta Carbury Hears a Love Tale explained
Lady Carbury learns that Sir Felix has been accepted by Marie Melmotte and is overjoyed at the prospect of his wealth and status.
What happens
Lady Carbury learns that Sir Felix has been accepted by Marie Melmotte and is overjoyed at the prospect of his wealth and status. She persuades him to stay for the Longestaffes' dinner. Meanwhile, Roger Carbury, troubled by Father Barham's criticisms and the Melmotte affair, takes Hetta into the garden. He speaks of his annoyance with the priest and then broaches the subject of Felix's engagement to Marie, while Hetta inwardly struggles with her feelings for Roger and her love for Paul Montague.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Financial Transaction
Lady Carbury views Felix's engagement to Marie Melmotte as a financial triumph, focusing on the £20,000 a year and social elevation rather than love or character.
Family Obligation and Selfishness
Lady Carbury's joy is rooted in her son's future splendour, not in his moral improvement or the well-being of others, highlighting selfish family dynamics.
Love vs. Practicality
Hetta Carbury struggles between her love for Paul Montague and the practical, noble devotion of Roger Carbury, embodying the tension between romantic and pragmatic choices.
Characters to notice
- Sir Felix Carbury
Discusses returning to London but is persuaded by his mother to stay for the Longestaffes' dinner; reveals that Marie Melmotte has accepted him.
- Lady Carbury
Overjoyed at Felix's news of Marie's acceptance; she caresses him and dreams of his future splendour, though she knows his character is poor.
- Roger Carbury
Annoyed by Father Barham's criticisms; takes Hetta into the garden to talk, first about the priest and then about Felix's engagement to Marie.
- Hetta Carbury
Accompanies Roger into the garden; she feels tenderness for him but knows she loves Paul Montague and struggles with her decision.
- Father Barham
Debates with Roger about bishops and the Church; his remarks annoy Roger, who feels he is turning against him.
Key passages
“I have half a mind to go back tomorrow morning”
Felix tells his mother he is considering returning to London the next day.
Felix expresses his desire to leave Carbury, but Lady Carbury persuades him to stay for the Longestaffes' dinner.
“If this were once done you would never have any more trouble of that kind. There would be plenty of money for everything as long as you live.”
Lady Carbury tells Felix that if he marries Marie, all his financial troubles will be over.
She emphasizes the financial security that the marriage would bring, reflecting her materialistic hopes.
“He was so good, so noble, so generous, so devoted, that it almost seemed to her that she could not be justified in refusing him.”
Hetta feels that Roger's virtues make it hard for her to justify rejecting his proposal.
Hetta's internal conflict between her love for Paul and her admiration for Roger is highlighted.