# Dolly Longestaffe — The Way We Live Now character guide > Dolly Longestaffe in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dolly, Longestaffe, a Longestaffe **First appearance:** 0012-xiii-the-longestaffes ## Snapshot A lazy, good-natured young man of fashion who does just what he pleases and spends money as fast as he likes. ## Who they are Adolphus Longestaffe, called Dolly, is the heir to the Longestaffe fortune and the despair of his sisters, who note that he does just what he pleases while they are sacrificed to Caversham. He drifts through London society with an easy indolence, tangling himself in Melmotte's affairs and his father's money without ever quite meaning harm. His fecklessness is both comic relief and a quiet indictment of the class that produces him. ## In the story ### [The Beargarden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/iii-the-beargarden) Felix's friend at the Beargarden; loses over £800 to Felix and lends him horses for hunting. ### [After the Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/v-after-the-ball) Very tipsy at the Beargarden; owes Felix a considerable sum from the night's gambling. ### [XIII: The Longestaffes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xiii-the-longestaffes) Strolls into the drawing-room, indifferent to family affairs, enjoying his freedom from the Longestaffe regime. ### [Miles Grendall's Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxiv-miles-grendall-s-triumph) Saunters into the club, owes Felix money but refuses to write a letter, suggesting Felix speak to Melmotte instead. ### [In Grosvenor Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxv-in-grosvenor-square) Visits his sister Georgiana at the Melmottes' house and writes to their father demanding she leave. ### [Dolly Longestaffe Goes Into the City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxviii-dolly-longestaffe-goes-into-the-city) Reluctantly involved in Felix's troubles, he negotiates with his father and Melmotte over Pickering, and facilitates Felix's debt repayment. ### [Melmotte's Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxv-melmotte-s-glory) Agrees to the sale of Pickering Park, trusting Melmotte's handling of the purchase-money. ### [Mr. Melmotte Is Pressed for Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlv-mr-melmotte-is-pressed-for-time) Impatient for his share of the Pickering sale money, threatens to involve his lawyer Squercum if payment is delayed. ### [Mr. Squercum Is Employed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lviii-mr-squercum-is-employed) Hires Mr. Squercum after suspecting Melmotte's dealings; insists he never signed the letter surrendering title deeds. ### [Miss Longestaffe's Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lx-miss-longestaffe-s-lover) Georgiana's brother; she worries about her future when he inherits everything. ### [Lady Monogram Prepares for the Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxi-lady-monogram-prepares-for-the-party) Mentioned as the one who supposedly uncovered evidence against Melmotte. ### [Marie's Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxiii-marie-s-fortune) Persistently denies signing the letter authorizing the sale of Pickering, casting doubt on Melmotte's actions. ### [Melmotte Makes a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxiv-melmotte-makes-a-friend) Openly accuses Melmotte of forgery and theft at the Beargarden, refusing to lower his voice despite Nidderdale's pleas. ### [In Bruton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxv-in-bruton-street) Accuses Melmotte of forgery but is persuaded by Melmotte's promise of payment to delay proceedings. ### [Another Scene in Bruton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxvii-another-scene-in-bruton-street) Mentioned as a party to the Pickering property transaction; Melmotte had promised payment. ### [Miss Longestaffe Again at Caversham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxviii-miss-longestaffe-again-at-caversham) Writes a letter to his father expressing outrage at Georgiana's engagement to Brehgert, suggesting she should be locked up. ### [Mr. Cohenlupe Leaves London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxi-mr-cohenlupe-leaves-london) Visits Squercum in Fetter Lane, reluctantly agrees to delay proceedings against Melmotte, and feels elevated by the business importance. ### [Breakfast in Berkeley Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxv-breakfast-in-berkeley-square) At the Beargarden, discussing Melmotte's arrest and his own financial grievances; reconciles with Nidderdale. ### [The Longestaffe Marriages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcv-the-longestaffe-marriages) Attends his sister's wedding reluctantly, bringing a large china dog as a present; his money affairs are comfortably arranged. ### [Where "The Wild Asses Quench Their Thirst"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcvi-where-the-wild-asses-quench-their-thirst) Describes the club's collapse, laments Vossner's absence, and refuses trusteeship on Squercum's advice. He mediates the quarrel between Felix and Grasslough with characteristic detachment. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/dolly_longestaffe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters