The Anthony Trollope Library

In which the rumour of Mr. Melmotte’s scandal spreads swiftly through London society, casting a shadow over the much-anticipated reception hosted in Grosvenor Square, and causing socialites such as Lady Monogram to oscillate between anxious retreat and reluctant attendance. The evening unfolds with much uncertainty and whispered gossip, as the presence of illustrious guests such as the Emperor and...

In which Mr. Melmotte hosts a grand reception for an Emperor and distinguished guests amidst swirling rumours of his impending disgrace, while maintaining a composed surface despite inward trepidation. Meanwhile, among the assembled company, personal anxieties and unspoken emotions quietly unfold, as the shadow of suspicion casts its subtle influence on friend and family alike.

In which the suspense of a Westminster election is heightened by rumours casting shadows on a candidate’s character, prompting cautious strategies and public displays of defiance. Mr. Melmotte faces the unwelcome stir with a composed front, navigating acutely between social engagements and the scrutiny of financiers and colleagues alike.

In which Miss Longestaffe negotiates the social terms of her impending marriage to Mr. Brehgert, a prosperous but socially unrefined gentleman of Jewish descent, while contending with the delicate prejudices and expectations of London society. The episode unfolds with a careful examination of alliances, reputations, and the quiet tensions that arise when ambition and convention entwine in the purs...

In which the grandees of society wrestle with rumours and uneasy suspicions surrounding a most anticipated and illustrious dinner party, where absences speak louder than attendance and whispers of wrongdoing cast shadows upon the festivity. Among the assembled and the absent, the host, though burdened and bewildered, strives to maintain dignity amidst a gathering that reveals more in its silences...

In which the unsettling whisper of forgery hangs over Mr. Melmotte’s dealings, casting a shadow of suspicion that ripples through the City and the highest circles of government, unsettling even those who once counted him a friend. The grand banquet to welcome the Emperor of China is overshadowed by doubts and political unease, as the question of honour and reputation weighs heavily upon all partie...

In which the fortunes and reputation of one Mr. Melmotte become the talk of Suffolk, stirring unease among its conservative gentry who view his ascent and conduct with suspicion and moral disquiet. Meanwhile, in London, contrasting opinions on his character and prospects are expressed by acquaintances, including a sombre reflection on the changing times and society’s shifting standards of honour a...

In which the political manoeuvrings to secure the Roman Catholic vote in Westminster become a matter of public speculation, under the critical eye of the determined Mr. Alf and the curious Father Barham, who seeks to discern the religious convictions of the enigmatic Mr. Melmotte. The episode unfolds amid preparations for a grand entertainment, revealing characters’ ambitions and intrigues through...

In which Lord Nidderdale resolves to renew his courtship of Marie Melmotte despite lingering doubts and the complications surrounding her family’s fortune and romantic entanglements. The encounter that follows reveals both the tenacity of the young lord and the troubled heart of Marie, as they confront the painful realities of love and expectation beneath the veneer of society.

In which Lady Carbury tends to her ailing and repentant son, Sir Felix, whose reckless behaviour has brought ruin upon their household, while her daughter Hetta wrestles with the prospect of sacrificing her own happiness for the family's welfare. Meanwhile, Lady Carbury finds an unexpected confidant in Mr. Broune, who offers counsel concerning the tangled financial woes and delicate honour that be...

In which the great political drama of the day is centred on the possible return of Mr. Melmotte to Parliament, a man whose commercial opulence and audacity stir both admiration and alarm among the Conservative party and society at large. Amidst grand dinners and political manoeuvres, his arrogance culminates in a bold demand to be presented to the Emperor of China, revealing both his overweening p...

In which Augustus Melmotte navigates the delicate social and financial consequences of his daughter’s attempted elopement, striving to maintain appearances and secure alliances among influential figures in both the City and society. Amidst the bustle of a key Railway Board meeting and personal negotiations, various characters confront their ambitions and frustrations, revealing the intricate dance...

In which young Marie Melmotte and her loyal companion Didon set out on a secretive journey to escape an unwanted marriage, only to be apprehended before boarding their ship to New York, bringing a swift and distressing end to her hopeful flight. Meanwhile, Sir Felix Carbury, her absent and troubled lover, finds himself in a wretched state, staggering home at dawn, burdened by his own troubles and...

In which Sir Felix arranges a clandestine departure to New York with Marie Melmotte, all the while wrestling with his conscience and uncertain financial means, amidst careful preparations and guarded exchanges. The episode captures his uneasy blend of resolve and apprehension as he gambles recklessly to secure funds, revealing the precariousness of his intentions and the company he keeps.

In which Paul Montague returns to London burdened with the resolution to end his troubling engagement to Mrs. Hurtle, expressing his feelings with a candid letter that stirs a tempest of emotion and defiance in her. Their subsequent meeting, charged with sorrow and fierce dignity, brings a reluctant close to their connection, leaving both to face the uncertain paths that lie ahead.

In which Paul Montague confronts Mrs. Hurtle over the strained nature of their acquaintance and his decision to break their engagement, leading to a disclosure of her turbulent past and the harsh realities that have shaped her character. Their encounter is charged with bitter recrimination and sorrowful reflection, revealing the complexities of love, honour, and social judgment amidst the clash of...

In which Roger Carbury endeavours to secure the welfare of Ruby Ruggles, learning of her constrained situation and the steadfast goodwill of an unlikely ally in John Crumb, whilst Paul Montague’s ill-advised companionship with Mrs. Hurtle at Lowestoft stirs unease and grave reflections upon honour and love. The sea-shore, calm and indifferent, bears witness to their snares and doubts, as Roger con...

In which the young Ruby Ruggles, restless and longing for a final dance with her lover Sir Felix, finds herself constrained by her aunt Mrs. Pipkin’s resolute guardianship and the strictures imposed by social expectations. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hurtle returns to the lodgings, contemplating her own precarious position and the delicate, unspoken hopes that still linger amidst these troubled lives.

In which the young and spirited Ruby, having defied her grandfather's wishes, seeks refuge with her aunt in London whilst entangled in a precarious romance with the imprudent Sir Felix Carbury, whose intentions fall far short of honourable promise. Amidst her youthful hopes and fears, she encounters the sober counsel of Roger Carbury, who urges her to consider the steadfast and sincere affections...

In which the spectacle of Mr. Melmotte's dazzling commercial ambitions and popular acclaim at Westminster stirs a fierce tide of political rivalry and newspaper animosity, setting the stage for a contest both grand and fraught with undercurrents of suspicion. Amid the elaborate social manoeuvrings and high-society intrigues, parties marshal their champions and campaigns, whilst whispered doubts an...

In which the fortunes of Mr. Longestaffe become increasingly entwined with those of the formidable Mr. Melmotte, as the London social and financial circles watch the manoeuvrings that precede an impending election with a mixture of curiosity and cautious calculation. Meanwhile, the conduct and concerns of various gentlemen connected to the Mexican Railway board reveal the subtle tensions and expec...

In which Miss Melmotte, resolute and defiant, contemplates her imminent marriage whilst navigating uncertain affections and familial intrigues, and Sir Felix Carbury wrestles with the precarious prospects of love and fortune amid plans of an adventurous elopement. The pair, supported by the resourceful Didon, contrive a clandestine scheme to escape conventional constraints, their hopes and doubts...

In which Paul Montague receives an unexpected summons from the formidable Mr. Melmotte, who, amid the disarray of his grand house, seeks to discuss the troubled affairs of their Railway Company with an urgency and persuasive charm. The conversation reveals the high stakes of unanimity in the Board-room, the tempting offer of a lucrative, if uncertain, expedition abroad, and Melmotte’s insistence o...

In which Paul Montague visits Mrs. Hurtle, enduring her charming yet formidable presence as they discuss his hesitant prospects of a Mexican railway venture and her delicate state of health, while also navigating the complexities of social aspirations and personal intentions. Amidst their conversation, plans are made for a seaside excursion to Lowestoft, offering a fragile moment of companionship...

In which Lady Carbury returns unexpectedly to find Paul Montague with Henrietta, stirring uneasy suspicions despite innocent explanations, while the young couple's affections and intentions are cautiously unveiled amid maternal concern and societal pressures. Meanwhile, Paul confides in Roger Carbury over his tangled affairs and faces an ominous confrontation with Mrs. Hurtle, postponed only by ch...