# Hetta Carbury — The Way We Live Now character guide > Hetta Carbury in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hetta, Poor Hetta, young Carbury **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-carbury-family ## Snapshot Lady Carbury's sensible, warm-hearted daughter, quietly courted by a good cousin and a young engineer while her brother's scandals and her mother's schemes close in around her. ## Who they are Hetta moves through the novel as the one Carbury who sees clearly and loves honestly, patient with her mother's ambitions and ashamed of Felix's conduct. She is caught between Roger Carbury's steady, unpoetic devotion and Paul Montague's more troubled suit, and her refusal to be managed by anyone makes her both admirable and vulnerable. She matters because her choices test what love and duty can mean in a world where marriage is mostly a transaction, and because her loyalty to her family keeps costing her. ## Relationships ### [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury) _romantic_ Roger is deeply in love with his cousin Hetta, but she sees him only as a kind friend and family member. ### [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_hurtle) _rivalry_ Hetta is suspicious of Mrs. Hurtle's past with Paul Montague, viewing her as a threat to their engagement. ### [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_carbury) _family_ Hetta is Lady Carbury's dutiful daughter, often exasperated by her mother's scheming and favoritism toward Felix. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Hetta is ashamed of her brother Felix's behavior and frequently clashes with him over his dishonesty. ### [Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/paul_montague) _romantic_ Hetta and Paul are genuinely in love, though their relationship is strained by Paul's past with Mrs. Hurtle. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Hetta is ashamed of her brother Felix's behavior and frequently clashes with him over his dishonesty. ### [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury) _romantic_ Roger is deeply in love with his cousin Hetta, but she sees him only as a kind friend and family member. ### [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_hurtle) _rivalry_ Hetta is suspicious of Mrs. Hurtle's past with Paul Montague, viewing her as a threat to their engagement. ### [Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/paul_montague) _romantic_ Hetta and Paul are genuinely in love, though their relationship is strained by Paul's past with Mrs. Hurtle. ### [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_carbury) _family_ Hetta is Lady Carbury's dutiful daughter, often exasperated by her mother's scheming and favoritism toward Felix. ### [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury) _romantic_ Roger is deeply in love with his cousin Hetta, but she sees him only as a kind friend and family member. ### [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_carbury) _family_ Hetta is Lady Carbury's dutiful daughter, often exasperated by her mother's scheming and favoritism toward Felix. ## In the story ### [The Carbury Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/ii-the-carbury-family) Lady Carbury's virtuous and charming daughter, who has not been spoiled by wealth and is the object of Roger Carbury's love. ### [Madame Melmotte's Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/iv-madame-melmotte-s-ball) Attends the ball reluctantly, talks with Paul Montague, and expresses discomfort at the party. ### [After the Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/v-after-the-ball) Defends her conversation with Paul Montague; refuses to accept her cousin Roger's offer despite her mother's pressure. ### [Roger Carbury and Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vi-roger-carbury-and-paul-montague) The object of both men's affections; she has refused Roger twice and is too young to marry, according to her. ### [Mentor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vii-mentor) Mentioned as the object of Roger's affection and Lady Carbury's hopes for a marriage. ### [Lovesick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/viii-lovesick) Defends her mother's choices and resents Roger's implication that she lacks judgment about the Melmottes. ### [Sir Felix in His Mother's House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xii-sir-felix-in-his-mother-s-house) Briefly speaks with her mother about Felix's proposal, expressing doubt about a marriage based solely on money. ### [Carbury Manor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xiv-carbury-manor) Reluctantly agrees to go to Carbury Manor, uncomfortable with Roger's feelings for her. ### [You Should Remember That I Am His Mother.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xv-you-should-remember-that-i-am-his-mother) Travels with her mother to Carbury Manor; blushes with shame when the Melmottes' visit to Caversham is mentioned. ### [The Bishop and the Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xvi-the-bishop-and-the-priest) Receives a rose from Roger; appreciates his character but feels unable to love him as a suitor; resists her mother's pressure. ### [XIX: Hetta Carbury Hears a Love Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xix-hetta-carbury-hears-a-love-tale) Accompanies Roger into the garden; she feels tenderness for him but knows she loves Paul Montague and struggles with her decision. ### [Lady Pomona’s Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xx-lady-pomona-s-dinner-party) Attends the dinner with her mother and brother; her relationship with Roger Carbury is strained as she feels pity rather than love for him. ### [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxvi-mrs-hurtle) Paul's current love interest; he resolves to marry no one else. ### [Mrs. Hurtle Goes to the Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxvii-mrs-hurtle-goes-to-the-play) Mentioned as the object of Paul's love, though she is not present in the chapter. ### [Mr. Broune Has Made Up His Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxi-mr-broune-has-made-up-his-mind) Expresses lukewarm feelings about Mr. Broune and is questioned by her mother about him. ### [Mr. Broune's Perils](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxvi-mr-broune-s-perils) Expresses dislike for Mr. Broune, influencing Lady Carbury's decision, though Lady Carbury is not inclined to be guided by her daughter's opinion. ### [Paul Montague's Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxviii-paul-montague-s-troubles) Expresses trust in Roger Carbury and anxiety about her brother Felix; converses with Paul about Melmotte and the railway scheme. ### [I Do Love Him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxix-i-do-love-him) Found alone with Paul; later confesses to her mother that she loves someone else, but not Roger. ### [XL: “Unanimity Is the Very Soul of These Things.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xl-unanimity-is-the-very-soul-of-these-things) Recalled by Paul as he danced with her at Melmotte's ball. ### [The Results of Love and Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lii-the-results-of-love-and-wine) Mentions that Mary says Felix came back and did not go; Lady Carbury cannot bring herself to tell her the truth. ### [So Shall Be My Enmity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxvi-so-shall-be-my-enmity) Accepts Paul Montague's proposal, causing a rift with her mother and cousin Roger. ### [Sir Felix Protects His Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-felix-protects-his-sister) Melancholy after her mother's harsh words but remains steadfast in her love for Paul Montague. ### [Miss Melmotte Declares Her Purpose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxviii-miss-melmotte-declares-her-purpose) Suffering from the shock of Paul Montague's betrayal, she reluctantly delivers her brother's rejection to Marie Melmotte, showing compassion despite her own distress. ### [Sir Felix Meddles with Many Matters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxx-sir-felix-meddles-with-many-matters) Reminds Felix of his threat against Paul Montague and expresses her distress, but is ignored by her brother. ### [LXXII: “Ask Himself.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxii-ask-himself) Tells Roger about Felix's beating; blushes when Roger alludes to women as causes of trouble; leaves the room to allow her mother and Roger to discuss Mrs. Hurtle. ### [Hetta and Her Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxvi-hetta-and-her-lover) Writes to Paul demanding the truth about Mrs. Hurtle, then confronts him and breaks off their relationship. ### [Paul Montague’s Vindication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxiv-paul-montague-s-vindication) Miserable after breaking with Paul Montague; returns his brooch; resists her mother's pressure to marry Roger Carbury; receives Paul's letter. ### [Down at Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxvii-down-at-carbury) Mentioned as having broken off with Paul due to false impressions about Mrs. Hurtle; Roger believes she is miserable and that her love was given before she knew the truth. ### [Hetta's Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xc-hetta-s-sorrow) Tormented by Paul's letter, she reconsiders her broken engagement and decides to write to Mrs. Hurtle for the truth. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xci-the-rivals) Silent and resolute, she visits Mrs. Hurtle, learns the truth about Paul's fidelity, and determines to write to him and restore their engagement despite her mother's anger. ### [A True Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xciii-a-true-lover) Writes a letter of penitence and love to Paul Montague, then confides in Roger Carbury, seeking his support for her marriage. ### [Down in Suffolk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/c-down-in-suffolk) Accepts Paul's proposal despite her mother's opposition; marries Paul in the spring. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hetta_carbury - 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