The Way We Live Now · Chapter
Dolly Longestaffe Goes Into the City explained
Sir Felix Carbury, troubled by Miles Grendall's cheating at the Beargarden, confides in Dolly Longestaffe, who is preoccupied with his father's plan to sell Pickering to Melmotte.
What happens
Sir Felix Carbury, troubled by Miles Grendall's cheating at the Beargarden, confides in Dolly Longestaffe, who is preoccupied with his father's plan to sell Pickering to Melmotte. Dolly agrees to accompany Felix to the city to settle a debt, and Melmotte facilitates the transaction, buying shares for Felix. Meanwhile, Felix receives a passionate letter from Marie Melmotte, but he is more focused on his financial schemes than on romance.
Themes in this chapter
Speculation and Ruin
Felix's plan to buy and sell railway shares for quick profit reflects the speculative mania, while Dolly's family property sale highlights financial ruin.
Deception and Hypocrisy
Miles Grendall's card cheating and the club's tacit acceptance of dishonesty underscore the theme of deception among the upper classes.
Characters to notice
- Sir Felix Carbury
Distressed by Miles Grendall's cheating, he seeks Dolly's help to recover money and invest in railway shares, but is indifferent to Marie's affections.
- Dolly Longestaffe
Reluctantly involved in Felix's troubles, he negotiates with his father and Melmotte over Pickering, and facilitates Felix's debt repayment.
- Augustus Melmotte
Cordially handles the financial transaction between Dolly and Felix, buying shares for Felix without revealing details.
- Marie Melmotte
Writes a passionate letter to Felix, expressing her devotion and frustration with her father's schemes, but Felix is unmoved.
- Miles Grendall
Accused by Felix of cheating at cards, but Dolly advises ignoring the matter.
Key passages
“I’ve a sort of feeling that I don’t like the family property going to pieces. A fellow oughtn’t to let his family property go to pieces.”
Dolly expresses a sentimental attachment to the Longestaffe estate, despite its financial impracticality.
Reflects the tension between family duty and financial necessity.
“If papa were to beat me into a mummy I would stick to you.”
Marie declares her unwavering loyalty to Felix, even under threat of violence.
Highlights Marie's romantic desperation and Felix's lack of reciprocation.