# Can You Be Ready in Ten Minutes? explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Paul Montague visits Roger Carbury to discuss Ruby Ruggles' situation, then dines alone before going to see Mrs. Hurtle in Islington. He struggles with his promise to Hetta, his entanglement with Mrs. Hurtle, and Melmotte's offer to send him to Mexico. Mrs. Hurtle attempts to charm and persuade him to embrace the railway scheme, while Paul internally wrestles with his cowardice and the need to break off their relationship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Speculation and Ruin

Paul's internal debate about the Mexican railway scheme and Melmotte's offer highlights the theme of financial speculation and the risk of ruin.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Mrs. Hurtle's charming demeanor conceals her manipulative intentions, while Paul's inability to be honest about his feelings reflects the theme of deception.

### Love vs. Practicality

Paul's conflict between his love for Hetta and the practical necessity of dealing with Mrs. Hurtle and the railway scheme embodies this theme.

## Character check-ins

### Paul Montague

Visits Roger Carbury, dines alone at the Beargarden, then goes to Mrs. Hurtle's lodgings in Islington. He is torn between his promise to Hetta, his duty to the railway board, and his desire to break free from Mrs. Hurtle.

### Roger Carbury

Returns from church and discusses Ruby Ruggles with Paul. He resolves to visit Ruby and try to get her back to Bungay, expressing concern about her involvement with Felix Carbury.

### Mrs. Hurtle

Receives Paul with charm and wit, discussing her trip to Southend and the railway scheme. She tries to persuade Paul to go to Mexico and become a hero, while Paul struggles to bring up his purpose of ending their relationship.

### Ruby Ruggles

Opens the door for Paul at Mrs. Pipkin's and whispers to him, upset that he told Roger Carbury about seeing her.

### Augustus Melmotte

Mentioned as having made a proposal to Paul to go to Mexico; Paul reflects on Melmotte's offer and the possibility of getting his money back.

## Key lines

> He was bound to go to Islington on that day, but had made up his mind that he would defer his visit till the evening.

Paul decided to postpone his visit to Mrs. Hurtle until the evening, despite having committed to seeing her that day.

_Shows Paul's reluctance and internal conflict about meeting Mrs. Hurtle._

> If he could do it with a clear conscience, if he could really make himself believe in the railway, such an expedition would not be displeasing to him.

Paul considered that going to Mexico would be appealing if he could honestly believe in the railway scheme.

_Highlights Paul's struggle with self-deception and the theme of speculation._

> She was a witch of a woman, and, as like most witches she could be terrible, so like most witches she could charm.

Mrs. Hurtle had a bewitching power, capable of both charm and danger.

_Foreshadows Mrs. Hurtle's manipulative nature and the threat she poses to Paul._

## Links

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