The Way We Live Now

Rich financier Augustus Melmotte's arrival in London sees the impoverished aristocracy rush to court his favour and their sons to court his daughter Marie.

While Paul Montague enters into the business scheme with Melmotte, his chances with Hetta are jeopardised.

Following a trip to Mexico, Paul Montague returns to confront Melmotte, who is involving himself in increasingly ambitious business schemes.

Melmotte is elected MP for Westminster, but is immediately confused by the complex etiquette of the House of Commons. Soon his fraudulent life begins to unravel.

As Paul struggles in Mexico without the funding he needs, Fisker arrives. Fisker reveals that Melmotte is less concerned with building a railway than with raising capital from the shares. Paul returns to London, determined to expose Melmotte.

Mrs Hurtle coolly confirms that her relationship with Paul is not over, and Hetta decides she can never see him again. Meanwhile, Melmotte is besieged by creditors.