# Roger Carbury — The Way We Live Now character guide > Roger Carbury in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Carbury, Roger, the Carbury, Master Roger **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-carbury-family ## Snapshot The squire of Carbury Hall, a plain, upright country gentleman who loves Hetta without poetry and watches his friend Paul take the life he wanted. ## Who they are Roger is the head of the Carbury family, a man of small means and stubborn integrity who lives on his own land among his own people and has never learned to dress his feelings in romance. He loves Hetta with an aching, unadorned longing, and when she cannot return it he sits alone on the bridge at Carbury telling himself there is nothing left in life. He matters because he is the novel's moral measure—generous to Paul, patient with the feckless Felix, and quietly heartbroken—and because his disappointment exposes how little goodness is rewarded in the world Trollope is describing. ## Relationships ### [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_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) _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) _social_ Mrs. Hurtle and Roger are acquaintances who meet through the Carbury family circle, with Roger disapproving of her past. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Roger is Felix's cousin and stern moral critic, constantly reproaching him for his dissolute lifestyle. ### [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_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) _romantic_ Roger is deeply in love with his cousin Hetta, but she sees him only as a kind friend and family member. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Roger is Felix's cousin and stern moral critic, constantly reproaching him for his dissolute lifestyle. ### [Lady Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/lady_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) _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) _social_ Mrs. Hurtle and Roger are acquaintances who meet through the Carbury family circle, with Roger disapproving of her past. ### [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_hurtle) _social_ Mrs. Hurtle and Roger are acquaintances who meet through the Carbury family circle, with Roger disapproving of her past. ### [Sir Felix Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/sir_felix_carbury) _family_ Roger is Felix's cousin and stern moral critic, constantly reproaching him for his dissolute lifestyle. ## In the story ### [The Carbury Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/ii-the-carbury-family) The head of the Carbury family, nearly forty, who is passionately in love with his cousin Hetta. ### [Roger Carbury and Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vi-roger-carbury-and-paul-montague) Reveals his proposal to Henrietta and his determination to win her; confronts Paul Montague about his feelings. ### [Mentor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vii-mentor) Visits Lady Carbury to discuss Felix's debts; confronts Felix and extracts £20 from him; plans to speak to Hetta. ### [Lovesick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/viii-lovesick) Confronts Henrietta about the Melmotte association, expresses his old-fashioned values, and agonizes over his unrequited love for her. ### [Carbury Manor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xiv-carbury-manor) Hosts the visit, troubled by Lady Carbury's letter and Felix's directorship; reflects on his love for Hetta and his moral principles. ### [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) Hosts Lady Carbury and Hetta; openly criticizes the Melmottes and Felix's motives; disapproves of the Longestaffes hosting the Melmottes. ### [The Bishop and the Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xvi-the-bishop-and-the-priest) Hosts the dinner; reflects on Father Barham's religious earnestness versus the bishop's pleasant manner; resolves to propose to Hetta on Monday. ### [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) Deeply displeased by Felix's behavior, he reluctantly accommodates him and views him as a 'miserable cub.' ### [Ruby Ruggles Hears a Love Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xviii-ruby-ruggles-hears-a-love-tale) Roger Carbury is the landlord of Sheep's Acre Farm and the owner of Sheepstone Birches. He had previously introduced Felix to Ruby, but now his growing dislike of Felix prevents any conversation about her. ### [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) Annoyed by Father Barham's criticisms; takes Hetta into the garden to talk, first about the priest and then about Felix's engagement to Marie. ### [Lady Pomona’s Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xx-lady-pomona-s-dinner-party) Left alone at Carbury, he dwells on his loneliness and his resentment toward Paul Montague, feeling that Montague has robbed him of Hetta's love. ### [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxvi-mrs-hurtle) Referenced as Paul's friend who advised him against marrying Mrs. Hurtle. ### [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) Referenced as Paul's former mentor who warned him against Mrs. Hurtle; Paul now hesitates to confide in him due to their rivalry over Hetta. ### [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) Mentioned as a potential husband for Hetta in Lady Carbury's thoughts. ### [Ruby Ruggles Obeys Her Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxiv-ruby-ruggles-obeys-her-grandfather) Landlord of Daniel Ruggles; listens to the farmer's story and decides to go to London to trace Ruby. ### [Paul Montague's Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxviii-paul-montague-s-troubles) Praised by Hetta and Paul for his honesty and integrity; is in town on mysterious business and accompanies Lady Carbury to a soirée. ### [I Do Love Him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxix-i-do-love-him) Advises Paul on the railway and Mrs. Hurtle; reveals Ruby Ruggles' disappearance and suspicion of Sir Felix. ### [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) Mentioned indirectly as part of the Carbury family; not directly present. ### [Can You Be Ready in Ten Minutes?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlii-can-you-be-ready-in-ten-minutes) Returns from church and discusses Ruby Ruggles with Paul. He resolves to visit Ruby and try to get her back to Bungay, expressing concern about her involvement with Felix Carbury. ### [XLIII: The City Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xliii-the-city-road) Roger visits Ruby at Mrs. Pipkin's house, warns her against Sir Felix, and urges her to return to John Crumb. He speaks highly of Crumb's character and tries to persuade Ruby to change her ways. ### [Roger Carbury and His Two Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlvi-roger-carbury-and-his-two-friends) Returns home after finding Ruby Ruggles; advises John Crumb to delay his visit; later confronts Paul Montague at Lowestoft about his relationship with Mrs. Hurtle. ### [Mrs. Hurtle at Lowestoft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlvii-mrs-hurtle-at-lowestoft) Expresses satisfaction at Paul's decision but reminds him of the consequences of his imprudence. ### [Ruby a Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlviii-ruby-a-prisoner) Mentioned as having warned Mrs. Pipkin about Ruby's behavior, influencing her strict actions. ### [Clerical Charities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lv-clerical-charities) Engages in debates about Melmotte's character and donations, feeling disheartened by the state of society and his family's troubles. ### [Father Barham Visits London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lvi-father-barham-visits-london) Mentioned as a friend of Father Barham, though not present in the chapter. ### [So Shall Be My Enmity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxvi-so-shall-be-my-enmity) Receives Paul's letter and responds with a wrathful declaration of enmity, refusing to forgive Paul. ### [LXXII: “Ask Himself.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxii-ask-himself) Struggles with how to answer Lady Carbury's request about Paul Montague and Mrs. Hurtle; travels to London; advises Hetta to ask Paul directly; offers his home to Lady Carbury and Felix. ### [Hetta and Her Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxvi-hetta-and-her-lover) Has given his opinion on Sir Felix and advised Hetta to ask Paul directly about Mrs. Hurtle. ### [Paul Montague’s Vindication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxiv-paul-montague-s-vindication) Mentioned as the cousin Lady Carbury wants Hetta to marry; Hetta resolves she will never marry him. ### [Down at Carbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxvii-down-at-carbury) Returns to Suffolk, deeply unhappy and conflicted about his feelings toward Paul Montague and Hetta. Struggles with his conscience over whether to tell the truth about Paul and Mrs. Hurtle. ### [Hetta's Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xc-hetta-s-sorrow) Hetta feels he and her mother have plotted against her, driving her to a declaration from which she sees no escape. ### [A True Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xciii-a-true-lover) Receives Hetta's letter, resolves to sacrifice his own hopes and support her marriage to Paul Montague, and travels to London to convey his consent. ### [Down in Suffolk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/c-down-in-suffolk) Struggles inwardly but resolves to support Hetta and Paul; gives Hetta away at the wedding. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/roger_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