# Squercum — The Way We Live Now character guide

> Squercum in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Squercum

**First appearance:** 0027-xxviii-dolly-longestaffe-goes-into-the-city

## Snapshot

A mean-looking Fetter Lane solicitor who does law at speed, hunts on Saturdays, and cheerfully sets sons against their fathers for a fee.

## Who they are

Squercum is the sharp little attorney Dolly Longestaffe hires to pry his share of the Pickering purchase money out of his own father's hands, and he is everything the stately Bideawhiles are not: quick, cheap, unkempt, and unbothered by family piety. His bright blue eyes and dirty gaiters conceal a genuinely effective legal mind that has made him fashionable with elder sons at war with their fathers. When Dolly's money fails to arrive, Squercum's suspicion of Melmotte becomes one of the early cracks in the financier's glittering facade.

## In the story

### [Mr. Squercum Is Employed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lviii-mr-squercum-is-employed)

Sharp, unconventional attorney employed by Dolly; investigates the forged signature and spreads rumors of forgery against Melmotte.

### [In Bruton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxv-in-bruton-street)

Dolly's aggressive attorney who has uncovered Melmotte's financial ruin and pushes for legal action, though not present in the room.

### [Mr. Cohenlupe Leaves London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxxi-mr-cohenlupe-leaves-london)

Dolly's lawyer, frustrated by the compromise, suspects Melmotte will not pay, and is driven by ambition to expose Melmotte as a grand swindler.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/squercum
- 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