# Lord Nidderdale’s Morality explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Sir Felix Carbury and Lord Nidderdale discuss their grievances about not profiting from the railway shares like Lord Alfred Grendall and Paul Montague. Nidderdale expresses a live-and-let-live philosophy, but both are uneasy about Melmotte's control. Nidderdale later confronts Melmotte about the shares, receiving a vague assurance that things will come right, especially if he marries Marie.

## Themes in this chapter

### Speculation and Ruin

The chapter highlights the unequal distribution of speculative profits among directors, with Lord Alfred benefiting while others feel cheated, foreshadowing potential ruin.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Nidderdale's moralizing about forgiveness contrasts with his own pursuit of an heiress and his envy of Lord Alfred's gains, exposing the hypocrisy of the financial elite.

### Marriage as Financial Transaction

Melmotte's hint that Nidderdale's marriage to Marie would unlock shares underscores the transactional nature of marriage in this society.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Felix Carbury

Anxious about being jockeyed out of profits, he questions Nidderdale about shares and later fears Melmotte's power over his marriage prospects.

### Lord Nidderdale

Philosophical about gambling debts and forgiveness, he confronts Melmotte about the unequal distribution of shares, but accepts Melmotte's evasive explanation.

### Augustus Melmotte

Defends his preferential treatment of Lord Alfred, dismisses Nidderdale's complaint, and hints at future rewards if Nidderdale marries Marie.

### Paul Montague

Has sold shares and profited, causing envy among other directors; he remains conflicted about the venture's honesty but enjoys the social benefits.

### Lord Alfred Grendall

Mentioned as having sold shares and profited, seen by the young men as Melmotte's 'head valet' and unfairly favored.

### Miles Grendall

Mentioned as owing gambling debts; Felix and Nidderdale consider pressing him for payment.

## Key lines

> Live and let live;—that’s my motto.

Nidderdale advocates for tolerance and not judging others harshly.

_Reflects Nidderdale's moral flexibility and his reluctance to confront wrongdoing directly._

> Where the devil would a fellow find himself if the money wasn’t all there?

Nidderdale questions the wisdom of marrying Marie if her fortune proves illusory.

_Highlights the central anxiety about Melmotte's wealth and the risks of marrying for money._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxii-lord-nidderdale-s-morality
- 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