# In Grosvenor Square explained — The Way We Live Now

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

## What happens

Marie Melmotte is dissatisfied with Sir Felix's letter, which lacks passion, and she reflects on her growing independence and determination to love him despite her father's control. Meanwhile, Georgiana Longestaffe faces social degradation after moving in with the Melmottes, and her brother Dolly confronts her, writing to their father to demand she leave.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Financial Transaction

Melmotte views his daughter as a means to become father-in-law to a Marquis or Earl, highlighting the transactional nature of marriage.

### Social Mobility and Class

Georgiana's degradation and Dolly's concern reflect the precariousness of social standing and the stigma of associating with the Melmottes.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

The Melmotte household is rife with deception; Marie and Didon plot behind Melmotte's back, and Georgiana pretends to be comfortable while hating her situation.

## Character check-ins

### Marie Melmotte

Dissatisfied with Sir Felix's letter, she reflects on her growing independence and determination to love him.

### Sir Felix Carbury

His letter to Marie lacks passion, causing her disappointment.

### Georgiana Longestaffe

Feels humiliated and degraded after moving in with the Melmottes; her brother Dolly confronts her.

### Dolly Longestaffe

Visits his sister Georgiana at the Melmottes' house and writes to their father demanding she leave.

### Augustus Melmotte

Described as the general enemy in his household, aware that no one trusts him; he values his daughter for potential aristocratic alliances.

### Lord Alfred Grendall

Whispers to Melmotte about how to become a baronet through money and political connections.

## Key lines

> In that house nobody ever told anything to Monsieur. He was regarded as the general enemy, against whom the whole household was always making ambushes, always firing guns from behind rocks and trees.

In the Melmotte household, the master was treated as a common foe, with everyone conspiring against him in secret.

_Illustrates the pervasive deception and lack of trust within the family._

> She was no longer afraid of saying No to the Nidderdales on account of any awe of them personally.

Marie had grown bold enough to reject suitors like Lord Nidderdale without fear.

_Shows Marie's growing independence and confidence._

> I don't see how the Melmottes are to help you. The long and the short of it is, you oughtn't to be here.

Dolly tells Georgiana that staying with the Melmottes will not benefit her and that she should leave.

_Reflects the social stigma attached to the Melmottes and Dolly's concern for his sister's reputation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxv-in-grosvenor-square
- 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