# Lady Carbury — The Way We Live Now character guide > Lady Carbury in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Carbury, a Lady Carbury, Dear Lady Carbury **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-carbury-family ## Snapshot A widowed novelist who has survived a violent marriage by scheming, now maneuvering to secure her son's future and her own respectability. ## Who they are Lady Carbury spent fifteen years smiling within five minutes of ill-usage, hiding her husband's drunken brutality from the world, and learning to live by manoeuvres. Released at forty, she has no intention of enduring the penances of widowhood; she wants a big house, respect, and a future for her son Sir Felix. Her charm, her literary hustle, and her willingness to lie make her the novel's engine of social ambition. ## Relationships ### [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury) _family_ Lady Carbury relies on her wealthy cousin Roger for financial support and moral guidance, though she often resents his judgment. ### [Mr. Broune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_broune) _professional_ Mr. Broune, as a newspaper editor, helps Lady Carbury publish her writings, while she flirts with him to secure his patronage. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Lady Carbury dotes on her son Felix, constantly excusing his reckless behavior and trying to shield him from consequences. ### [Hetta Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hetta_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_ Lady Carbury dotes on her son Felix, constantly excusing his reckless behavior and trying to shield him from consequences. ### [Mr. Broune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_broune) _professional_ Mr. Broune, as a newspaper editor, helps Lady Carbury publish her writings, while she flirts with him to secure his patronage. ### [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury) _family_ Lady Carbury relies on her wealthy cousin Roger for financial support and moral guidance, though she often resents his judgment. ### [Roger Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_carbury) _family_ Lady Carbury relies on her wealthy cousin Roger for financial support and moral guidance, though she often resents his judgment. ### [Hetta Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hetta_carbury) _family_ Hetta is Lady Carbury's dutiful daughter, often exasperated by her mother's scheming and favoritism toward Felix. ### [Hetta Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hetta_carbury) _family_ Hetta is Lady Carbury's dutiful daughter, often exasperated by her mother's scheming and favoritism toward Felix. ### [Mr. Broune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mr_broune) _professional_ Mr. Broune, as a newspaper editor, helps Lady Carbury publish her writings, while she flirts with him to secure his patronage. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Lady Carbury dotes on her son Felix, constantly excusing his reckless behavior and trying to shield him from consequences. ## In the story ### [Three Editors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/i-three-editors) Writes to three editors to secure favorable reviews for her book 'Criminal Queens', demonstrating her strategic and unscrupulous approach to literary success. ### [The Carbury Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/ii-the-carbury-family) A widow and mother, she is clever but deceitful, working tirelessly to advance her children's interests through dishonest literary means. ### [The Beargarden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/iii-the-beargarden) Writing letters and worrying about finances; gives Felix £20. ### [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, is gracious to Madame Melmotte, and endures the evening with misery. ### [After the Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/v-after-the-ball) Expresses despair over Felix's gambling and lack of consideration; pressures Hetta to accept Roger Carbury's offer. ### [Roger Carbury and Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vi-roger-carbury-and-paul-montague) Mentioned as having visited Carbury with Henrietta; not directly involved in the confrontation. ### [Mentor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vii-mentor) Seeks Roger's advice about Felix but does not follow it; dreams of Hetta marrying Roger, Felix marrying Marie Melmotte, and her novel being a success. ### [Lovesick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/viii-lovesick) Discussed as blindly indulging Felix and pursuing the Melmotte fortune despite the man's reputation. ### [Lady Carbury at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xi-lady-carbury-at-home) Hosts the gathering, deals with the aftermath of her book's harsh review, and seeks to maintain social and literary connections. ### [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) Stays up all night waiting for Felix, anxious about his prospects with Marie Melmotte and his gambling habits. ### [Carbury Manor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xiv-carbury-manor) Arranges the visit to Carbury Manor, proud of Felix's directorship, and is worldly in her values. ### [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) Arrives at Carbury Manor with Hetta; defends her son Felix's pursuit of Marie Melmotte, arguing financial necessity; feels hurt by Roger's harsh words. ### [The Bishop and the Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xvi-the-bishop-and-the-priest) Recovers from a headache after clashing with Roger; pressures Henrietta to support Felix's marriage scheme; charms the bishop at dinner. ### [Marie Melmotte Hears a Love Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xvii-marie-melmotte-hears-a-love-tale) Anxiously awaits Felix's arrival and appeals to Roger for patience, showing maternal concern. ### [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) Overjoyed at Felix's news of Marie's acceptance; she caresses him and dreams of his future splendour, though she knows his character is poor. ### [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 party and tries to flatter Mr. Melmotte, praising her son's supposed diligence in business to advance Felix's prospects with Marie. ### [Yes;—I'm a Baronet.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxiii-yes-i-m-a-baronet) Urges Felix to propose quickly, weighing the risk of Melmotte's potential ruin against Felix's penniless state; sees the marriage as a necessary gamble. ### [Miss Melmotte's Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxix-miss-melmotte-s-courage) Presses Felix about his suit and urges him to elope with Marie, arguing that Melmotte will forgive them and that the risk is small. ### [Mr. Melmotte's Promise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxx-mr-melmotte-s-promise) Hosts the party, consults Mr. Broune about Felix's engagement, and agonizes over the choice between Melmotte's promise and an elopement. ### [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) Receives a marriage proposal from Mr. Broune; vacillates between the desire for freedom and the practical benefits of the match. ### [Mr. Broune's Perils](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxvi-mr-broune-s-perils) Writes to refuse Mr. Broune's marriage proposal, torn between financial security and the burdens of her son and her own independence. ### [I Do Love Him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxix-i-do-love-him) Returns home to find Paul with Hetta; questions Hetta and expresses frustration about her refusal to marry Roger. ### [The Coming Election](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xliv-the-coming-election) Sympathizes with Melmotte and discusses the election with Mr. Broune, showing diminished awe of him after his marriage proposal. ### [Sir Felix Makes Himself Ready](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlix-sir-felix-makes-himself-ready) Shocked and regretful upon learning of Felix's plan, she reluctantly agrees to help but refuses to provide money. ### [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) Pours out her troubles to Mr. Broune about Felix; searches Felix's pockets; writes to Mr. Broune with Felix's confession. ### [Clerical Charities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lv-clerical-charities) Mentioned as having written to Roger requesting a loan, which he grants, though he suspects the money will aid Sir Felix's schemes. ### [The Election](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxiv-the-election) Receives a visit from Mr. Broune and inquires about the scandal surrounding Melmotte. ### [So Shall Be My Enmity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxvi-so-shall-be-my-enmity) Angrily confronts Hetta about her engagement, accusing her of selfishness and ruining the family's prospects. ### [Sir Felix Protects His Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-felix-protects-his-sister) Opposed to Paul Montague's courtship of Hetta, she seeks Roger Carbury's help to expose Montague's entanglement with another woman. ### [Miss Melmotte Declares Her Purpose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxviii-miss-melmotte-declares-her-purpose) Reluctantly permits Hetta to visit Marie, having lost faith in the Melmotte marriage as a viable prospect for Felix. ### [LXXII: “Ask Himself.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxii-ask-himself) Writes to Roger asking for information about Paul Montague; goes to the hospital to fetch Sir Felix; expresses deep love for her son. ### [Hetta and Her Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxvi-hetta-and-her-lover) Miserable about her son Felix, she seeks comfort from Mr. Broune and discusses Roger Carbury's proposals. ### [LXXXII: Marie's Perseverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxii-marie-s-perseverance) Receives Marie and struggles with the decision of whether to encourage the match, torn between her son's disgrace and the potential financial gain. ### [Paul Montague’s Vindication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxiv-paul-montague-s-vindication) Pressures Hetta to consider marrying Roger Carbury for financial security; discusses Melmotte's ruin with Mr. Broune; returns Paul's brooch for Hetta. ### [The Wheel of Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxix-the-wheel-of-fortune) Finishes her novel 'The Wheel of Fortune' and seeks reviews from Mr. Alf and Mr. Broune. ### [Hetta's Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xc-hetta-s-sorrow) Hetta believes her mother was cruel and disregarded her feelings, contributing to her misery. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xci-the-rivals) Constrained and severe with Hetta, she tries to enforce a mother's duty by pushing her daughter toward Roger Carbury, but is frightened by Hetta's stern silence. ### [A True Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xciii-a-true-lover) Opposes the marriage, recounts the quarrel to Roger, and expresses her disapproval of Paul Montague. ### [Down in Suffolk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/c-down-in-suffolk) Weakly opposes Hetta's engagement but eventually accepts it; later marries Mr. Broune. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_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