The Way We Live Now · Chapter
Sir Felix Makes Himself Ready explained
Sir Felix prepares to elope with Marie Melmotte to New York, receiving a cheque from her and confirming the plan with Didon.
What happens
Sir Felix prepares to elope with Marie Melmotte to New York, receiving a cheque from her and confirming the plan with Didon. He informs his mother, Lady Carbury, who is distressed but agrees to help with preparations. Felix secures the money and resigns himself to the journey.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Financial Transaction
Felix's elopement with Marie is driven by her fortune, with detailed financial arrangements and a cheque as the binding element.
Deception and Hypocrisy
Felix deceives Ruby Ruggles and his mother, while Marie deceives her parents, using false names and secret plans.
Speculation and Ruin
Felix gambles on the elopement's success and Marie's fortune, fearing financial loss and the risk of arrest.
Characters to notice
- Sir Felix Carbury
Anxious and reluctant, Felix finalizes elopement plans with Marie, receives money from Didon, and informs his mother.
- Marie Melmotte
Eagerly arranges the elopement, providing a cheque and detailed instructions for the journey to New York.
- Lady Carbury
Shocked and regretful upon learning of Felix's plan, she reluctantly agrees to help but refuses to provide money.
- Elise Didon
Acts as intermediary, delivering the cashed cheque to Felix at the Beargarden club.
Key passages
“Sir Felix, when he promised to meet Ruby at the Music Hall on the Tuesday, was under an engagement to start with Marie Melmotte for New York on the Thursday following, and to go down to Liverpool on the Wednesday.”
Felix had agreed to see Ruby on Tuesday, but he was also committed to leaving for New York with Marie on Thursday, traveling to Liverpool on Wednesday.
Highlights Felix's conflicting engagements and the imminent elopement.
“He had Melmotte's money in his pocket, and was therefore bound to run away with Melmotte's daughter.”
Having received Melmotte's money, Felix felt obligated to proceed with the elopement.
Emphasizes the transactional nature of the relationship and Felix's sense of compulsion.