# Lord Nidderdale — The Way We Live Now character guide > Lord Nidderdale in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Nidderdale, young Lord Nidderdale, Dear Lord Nidderdale **First appearance:** 0003-iv-madame-melmotte-s-ball ## Snapshot A good-natured young nobleman of no particular use, courting Marie Melmotte for her fortune while his father watches the rumors warily. ## Who they are Lord Nidderdale is a very good fellow whom everybody likes, a Member of Parliament who never does anything there, and the son of a marquis who wants Melmotte's money paid down before any wedding. He is bashful, hard up, and caught between his father's determination to stand to their guns and his own easygoing reluctance to press the matter. His courtship of Marie Melmotte is a comedy of manners with a fortune at stake. ## Relationships ### [Augustus Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/augustus_melmotte) _professional_ Melmotte cultivates Lord Nidderdale as a potential son-in-law to gain social status, while Nidderdale is interested in Marie's dowry. ### [Marie Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/marie_melmotte) _romantic_ Lord Nidderdale courts Marie for her money, but she finds him dull compared to the dashing Felix. ### [Marie Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/marie_melmotte) _romantic_ Lord Nidderdale courts Marie for her money, but she finds him dull compared to the dashing Felix. ### [Augustus Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/augustus_melmotte) _professional_ Melmotte cultivates Lord Nidderdale as a potential son-in-law to gain social status, while Nidderdale is interested in Marie's dowry. ### [Augustus Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/augustus_melmotte) _professional_ Melmotte cultivates Lord Nidderdale as a potential son-in-law to gain social status, while Nidderdale is interested in Marie's dowry. ### [Marie Melmotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/marie_melmotte) _romantic_ Lord Nidderdale courts Marie for her money, but she finds him dull compared to the dashing Felix. ## In the story ### [The Great Railway to Vera Cruz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/ix-the-great-railway-to-vera-cruz) Listed as a director of the railway company and also in Parliament. ### [Mr. Fisker's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/x-mr-fisker-s-success) Chairs the farewell dinner; a director of the railway and a candidate for Marie Melmotte's hand. ### [Lord Nidderdale’s Morality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxii-lord-nidderdale-s-morality) Philosophical about gambling debts and forgiveness, he confronts Melmotte about the unequal distribution of shares, but accepts Melmotte's evasive explanation. ### [Yes;—I'm a Baronet.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxiii-yes-i-m-a-baronet) Flirts with Georgiana Longestaffe in the drawing-room, commenting on the marriage as an 'institution' and implying Felix is the 'happy man.' ### [Miles Grendall's Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxiv-miles-grendall-s-triumph) Explains the share situation to Felix and tries to keep the peace during the card game dispute. ### [Miss Melmotte's Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxix-miss-melmotte-s-courage) Present at Grosvenor Square with his father; is poked out of the room by the Marquis; is the suitor Marie refuses to marry. ### [Lady Monogram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxii-lady-monogram) Makes a remark about Melmotte's uncertain reputation. ### [Melmotte's Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxv-melmotte-s-glory) Negotiates marriage terms with Melmotte but is rejected by Marie, who refuses to marry him. ### [The Boardroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-boardroom) Present at the board meeting, fillips paper pellets, and suggests adjourning early. ### [The India Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/liv-the-india-office) Lord Nidderdale is mentioned as having observed Lord Alfred's disgust in Grosvenor Square, and he declares that Lord Alfred has invested in a cutting whip. ### [Lord Nidderdale Tries His Hand Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lvii-lord-nidderdale-tries-his-hand-again) Renews his suit to Marie Melmotte under paternal pressure, despite doubts about her elopement and the stability of Melmotte's fortune. ### [The Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lix-the-dinner) Present at the dinner, having heard the rumor but choosing not to abandon Melmotte yet. ### [The Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxii-the-party) Engages in light conversation about marriage and the Emperor during the party. ### [Melmotte in Parliament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxix-melmotte-in-parliament) Learns of Vossner's flight at the Beargarden Club and discusses his father's cautious support for the marriage to Marie Melmotte. ### [Marie's Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxiii-marie-s-fortune) Considers marrying Marie after being assured of a £5,000 annual income, and agrees to visit the Melmotte house. ### [Melmotte Makes a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxiv-melmotte-makes-a-friend) Defends Melmotte at the club, offers to personally guarantee the debt to silence Dolly, and later proposes to Marie Melmotte in a businesslike manner. ### [Melmotte Again at the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxiii-melmotte-again-at-the-house) Distances himself from Melmotte, advises him to see his father, and leaves the House. ### [Breakfast in Berkeley Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxv-breakfast-in-berkeley-square) Disgusted with Melmotte's behavior and his own position; refuses to marry Marie despite his father's pressure; learns of Melmotte's death. ### [The Meeting in Bruton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxvi-the-meeting-in-bruton-street) Responds to Marie's summons, helps arrange legal and financial matters, and parts from her kindly, acknowledging the end of their engagement. ### [The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxviii-the-inquest) Assists Madame Melmotte and Marie in their departure to Hampstead and helps arrange the lodgings. ### [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) Reflects on the Beargarden's end with melancholy, expresses fondness for Marie Melmotte, and vows to reform by reading blue books and dining at the Carlton. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lord_nidderdale - 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