The Way We Live Now · Character

Miles Grendall

A disreputable young clubman and hanger-on at the Beargarden, intimate with the Melmotte establishment and useful for gossip about other people's disasters.

supporting

Also known as Miles, Grendall, Mr. Grendall

First appearance: iii the beargarden

As a supporting figure in The Way We Live Now, Miles Grendall is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Loses over £400 to Felix; expresses hostility and disputes the settlement terms.

In the storyAfter the BallOpen this moment free

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Grendall moves easily through the Beargarden's card rooms and the Melmotte household, a man whose chief currency is knowing things and being owed favours. He takes a secretary's post in the great railway office, where his presence signals how much of the scheme is performance rather than work. His honest indignation at being called a brute is comic, but his real function is to show how the fashionable world's hangers-on feed on the fortunes of men like Melmotte.

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See Miles Grendall in iii the beargarden

Character Web

35 connections

A slice of how Miles Grendall sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central plot drivers
Social and marriage circles

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the central emotional and psychological crisis: Hett…

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In the story

Miles Grendall appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

After the Ball
Loses over £400 to Felix; expresses hostility and disputes the settlement terms.
Mr. Fisker's Success
Serves as secretary of the railway company's office.
Lord Nidderdale’s Morality
Mentioned as owing gambling debts; Felix and Nidderdale consider pressing him for payment.
Miles Grendall's Triumph
Wins heavily at loo, using his own worthless I.O.U.s to pay others while pocketing cash; Sir Felix suspects him of cheating.
Dolly Longestaffe Goes Into the City
Accused by Felix of cheating at cards, but Dolly advises ignoring the matter.
Lady Monogram
Attempts to patronize Georgiana, adding to her humiliation.
The Boardroom
Reads the board record poorly; Felix has detected him cheating at cards but has not exposed him.
The Coming Election
Assists his father in the campaign, noting his own burdens and questioning whether Melmotte's scheme will last.
Mr. Melmotte Is Pressed for Time
Acts as intermediary, bringing word that Melmotte will see Paul Montague and cautioning him to be brief.
Father Barham Visits London
Also present with Melmotte, tasked with overseeing the hall arrangements.
The Party
Remains after the party on his father's advice, but shows reluctance and is scorned by Melmotte.
Melmotte in Parliament
Dines at the Beargarden and shares the news of Vossner's disappearance.
Hamilton K. Fisker Again
Summoned to London by Fisker, he obeys his father's advice to appear but say nothing.

Chapter companion notes

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See Miles Grendall in iii the beargarden

See Miles Grendall in After the Ball