The Way We Live Now

- Season 1

(2001)

The rich but vulgar Augustus Melmotte moves to London with his family. Society looks down on them, but most can't afford not to socialize with them. Felix Carbury has his eyes set on Melmotte's monkey faced daughter, hoping the marriage will solve all his and his family's financial problems, while his sister Hetta falls in love with the adventurer Paul Montague.

Paul is shocked at the news of his former love, Mrs Hurtle's, arrival in London. She is intent on keeping Paul to the promise of marriage that he made to her two years ago. Paul, now very much in love with Hetta Carbury, tries to explain that his feelings have changed, but the beguiling and sexually manipulative Mrs Hurtle warns him that it is up to her to release him from the engagement.

Marie Melmotte arrives in Liverpool with her maid, Didon, on the first stage of her elopement, only to be arrested and taken back home in disgrace after her father has raised the alarm. Meanwhile, Felix is stopped from seeing Ruby by Mrs. Pipkin and Mrs. Hurtle, who refuse to allow the 'courtship' to continue until he makes his intentions clear.

A newspaper publishes Paul's claims about Melmotte and the railway, and soon Melmotte is hounded by creditors. Melmotte needs his emergency fund, held in Marie's name, but she refuses to sign the money over to him. Hetta decides to find out the truth between Mrs. Hurtle and Paul. She visits Mrs. Hurtle who confirms the engagement, and tells Paul that she can never see him again.