# The Way We Live Now — Character guide

> Key figures in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

- [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury.md): A handsome, dissolute baronet who pursues pleasure and fortune through marriage.
- [Augustus Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/augustus_melmotte.md): A financier and speculator whose rise and fall drives much of the plot.
- [Marie Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/marie_melmotte.md): The wealthy heiress daughter of Augustus Melmotte, sought after by fortune hunters.
- [Hetta Carbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hetta_carbury.md): The sensible and loving daughter of Lady Carbury, torn between suitors.
- [Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/paul_montague.md): A young man involved with the railway scheme and entangled with two women.
- [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury.md): The squire of Carbury Manor, a moral and steadfast gentleman in love with Hetta.
- [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_carbury.md): A struggling widow and writer, desperate to secure her son's future.
- [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_hurtle.md): A passionate American widow with a mysterious past, pursuing Paul Montague.
- [Ruby Ruggles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/ruby_ruggles.md): A pretty, headstrong young woman who defies her grandfather for love.
- [Lord Nidderdale](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lord_nidderdale.md): A young nobleman who courts Marie Melmotte for her fortune.
- [Dolly Longestaffe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/dolly_longestaffe.md): A lazy, good-natured young man of fashion, heir to a fortune.
- [Georgiana Longestaffe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/georgiana_longestaffe.md): A proud, marriage-minded daughter of the Longestaffe family.
- [Mr. Broune](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_broune.md): A newspaper editor and suitor to Lady Carbury.
- [John Crumb](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/john_crumb.md): A rough but honest farmer in love with Ruby Ruggles.
- [Miles Grendall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/miles_grendall.md): A disreputable young man and hanger-on at the Beargarden club.
- [Lord Alfred Grendall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lord_alfred_grendall.md): An impoverished nobleman and father of Miles, living on credit.
- [Hamilton K. Fisker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hamilton_k_fisker.md): An American entrepreneur who brings the railway scheme to London.
- [Mr. Bideawhile](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_bideawhile.md): A cautious lawyer involved in Melmotte's financial affairs.
- [Squercum](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/squercum.md): A sharp solicitor employed by Dolly Longestaffe.
- [Lady Monogram](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_monogram.md): A fashionable society hostess and friend to Lady Carbury.
- [Sir Damask Monogram](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_damask_monogram.md): A wealthy baronet and husband of Lady Monogram.
- [Mr. Cohenlupe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_cohenlupe.md): A shady financier and associate of Melmotte.
- [Madame Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/madame_melmotte.md): The timid, foreign wife of Augustus Melmotte.
- [Lady Pomona Longestaffe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_pomona_longestaffe.md): The snobbish wife of Mr. Longestaffe, concerned with social standing.
- [Adolphus Longestaffe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/adolphus_longestaffe.md): A conservative country gentleman, father of Dolly and Georgiana.
- [Father Barham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/father_barham.md): A Catholic priest and friend of Roger Carbury.
- [Mrs. Pipkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_pipkin.md): Ruby Ruggles's aunt, who provides her lodging in London.
- [Ezekiel Brehgert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/brehgert.md): A Jewish banker who proposes to Georgiana Longestaffe.
- [Lord Grasslough](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/grasslough.md): A young nobleman and member of the Beargarden club.
- [Mr. Ferdinand Alf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_alf.md): A newspaper editor and rival to Mr. Broune.
- [Mr. Booker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_booker.md): A literary man and friend of Lady Carbury.
- [Joe Mixet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/joe_mixet.md): A radical politician and friend of John Crumb.
- [George Whitstable](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/george_whitstable.md): A suitor to Ruby Ruggles, favored by her grandfather.
- [Elise Didon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/elise_didon.md): Marie Melmotte's French maid and confidante.
- [Daniel Ruggles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_ruggles.md): Ruby's stern grandfather, a farmer in Suffolk.
- [Lady Julia Start](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_julia_start.md): A friend of Lady Carbury, involved in charitable works.
- [Mr. Lupton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_lupton.md): A young man about town, member of the Beargarden.
- [Mr. Leadham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_leadham.md): A publisher who works with Lady Carbury.
- [Sir Patrick Carbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_patrick_carbury.md): The deceased husband of Lady Carbury, often mentioned.
- [Mr. Goldsheiner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_goldsheiner.md): A young Jewish man who courts Georgiana Longestaffe.
- [Lady Julia Goldsheiner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_julia_goldsheiner.md): Mother of Mr. Goldsheiner, a social climber.
- [Marquis of Auld Reekie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/marquis_of_auld_reekie.md): An elderly Scottish nobleman and father of Lord Nidderdale.
- [Lord Frederic Framlinghame](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lord_frederic_framlinghame.md): A young aristocrat and friend of Lord Nidderdale.
- [Mr. Primero](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_primero.md): A neighbor of the Longestaffes in Suffolk.
- [Mr. Flatfleece](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_flatfleece.md): A stockbroker involved with Melmotte's schemes.
- [Mr. Septimus Blake](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_blake.md): A clergyman who marries John Crumb and Ruby.
- [Caradoc Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/caradoc_hurtle.md): The deceased husband of Mrs. Hurtle, mentioned in backstory.
- [Mr. Bumby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_bumby.md): A minor character at the Beargarden club.
- [Matilda Carbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/matilda_carbury.md): A relative of the Carbury family, mentioned briefly.
- [Mr. Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_brown.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or tradesman.
- [Mrs. Fisker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_fisker.md): The wife of Hamilton K. Fisker, who appears late in the novel.
- [Julia Triplex](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/julia_triplex.md): A young woman friend of the Longestaffe sisters.
- [Sophia Longestaffe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sophia_longestaffe.md): The younger Longestaffe sister, who marries well.
- [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_smith.md): A generic name used for a minor character.
- [Mr. Pickering](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_pickering.md): A man mentioned in connection with a property.
- [Mr. Caversham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_caversham.md): The Longestaffe family estate, used metonymically.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters