Mr. Longstaffe

Adolphus Longestaffe, Sr.

Husband of Lady Pomona 

Father of Dolly Longestaffe, Georgiana Longestaffe, and Sophia Longestaffe

Chapter XXI
Mr. Longestaffe receives a telegram from his lawyer about his finances indicating the family will not be returning to London, but doesn’t immediately reveal its contents to the rest of his family. Lady Pomona says about the incident: “‘He looked like it when he put those papers back into his pocket. I know what his face means so well’” (169). #Letters #AbstractReading

Mr. Longestaffe to Georgiana : “‘You had better write to Lady Monogram and say you can’t keep your engagement’” (171). #Letters #Proximity

“‘You’ll not return to London this season,’ said Mr. Longestaffe, turning himself abruptly to a newspaper which he held in his hands” (172). #LitAsProps

“Mr. Longstaffe, when he read his daughter’s appeal, did feel for her, in spite of his anger” (176). #Letters

After Mr. Longestaffe read Georgiana’ s letter: “On the following morning, when there could have been no intercourse with London by letter, Lady Pomona called her younger daughter to her, and handed her an note to read. ‘Your papa has this moment given it me. Of course you must judge for yourself.’ This was the note; --

 ‘My Dear Mr. Longestaffe ,

 ‘As you seem determined not to return to London this season, perhaps one of your young ladies would like to come to us. Mrs. Melmotte would be delighted to have Miss Georgiana for June and July. If so, she need only give Mrs. Melmotte a day’s notice

 ‘Yours Truly,

 ‘Augustus Melmotte ’” (177). #Letters #Proximity

Chapter XXV
Dolly determines to write to his father about Georgiana staying with the Melmottes after he visits her at their house (207). #Letters #Premeditation

“‘My Dear Father ,

‘I have seen Georgiana at Mr. Melmotte ’s house. She ought not to be there. I suppose you don’t know it, but everybody says he’s a swindler. For the sake of the family I hope you will get her home again. It seems to me that Bruton Street is the proper place for the girls at this time of the year.

‘Your affectionate son,

‘Adolphus Longestaffe ’” (208). #Letters #Sincerity

“This letter fell upon old Mr. Longestaffe at Caversham like a thunderbolt. It was marvelous to him that his son should have been instigated to write a letter. The Melmottes must be very bad indeed, -- worse than he had thought, -- or their iniquities would not have brought about such energy as this. But the passage which angered him most was that which told him that he ought to have taken his family back to town” (208). #Letters