# All Prepared explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Marie Melmotte, frustrated by her lover Sir Felix Carbury's apparent lack of initiative, takes matters into her own hands by proposing a detailed elopement plan to New York, orchestrated by her maid Didon. Sir Felix, torn between his desire for Marie's fortune and his fear of losing everything, reluctantly agrees to the scheme.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Financial Transaction

Marie's marriage to Lord Nidderdale is arranged for financial and social gain, while her elopement with Sir Felix is driven by the promise of her settled fortune, underscoring the transactional nature of matrimony.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Sir Felix lies about his letter to Melmotte, Marie conceals her plans from her parents, and Didon orchestrates the elopement, all highlighting the pervasive deceit among the characters.

### Speculation and Ruin

Sir Felix's fear of financial ruin if the elopement fails and Melmotte's precarious financial dealings reflect the speculative risks that threaten to destroy fortunes.

## Character check-ins

### Marie Melmotte

Dissatisfied with Sir Felix's hesitation, she actively plans their elopement to New York, showing resourcefulness and determination.

### Sir Felix Carbury

Reluctantly agrees to the elopement plan, though he is plagued by doubts about the financial risks and his own commitment.

### Madame Melmotte

Scolds Marie for refusing to marry Lord Nidderdale, but ultimately defers to her husband to handle the situation.

### Augustus Melmotte

Mentioned as conducting business on Sunday morning and as the source of the money Marie hopes to access; his opposition to the elopement is implied.

### Elise Didon

The maid who devises the elopement plan and is to be paid £50 for her assistance, demonstrating her influence over Marie.

## Key lines

> During all these days Miss Melmotte was by no means contented with her lover’s prowess, though she would not allow herself to doubt his sincerity.

Marie Melmotte was increasingly unhappy with Sir Felix's lack of action, but she refused to question his true feelings for her.

_Establishes Marie's growing impatience and her willful blindness to Felix's shortcomings._

> I wouldn't have written it, if it had been ever so.

Marie asserts that she would never have written such a letter, no matter the circumstances.

_Highlights Marie's pride and her disapproval of Felix's deceitful letter to her father._

> There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune.

The narrator reflects on the critical moment when Sir Felix must decide whether to seize the opportunity or risk losing everything.

_Alludes to Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, emphasizing the pivotal nature of Felix's decision._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xli-all-prepared
- 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