This wasn't the only novel of Huxley's that his acquaintances saw themselves in to their dismay. His Antic Hay has a brilliant scientist. Professor Shearwater, with a wife who cheats on him. Apparently Shearwater was an obvious representation of J.B.S. Haldane, who was not amused.
In Bloomsbury they were in and out of each other's lives, beds, and
books. Those modern disclaimers saying "All characters and events are
entirely fictional." make me laugh. It absolutely goes without saying
that novelists, especially satirists draw on all their friends, family
and work colleagues. If you're (un)lucky enough to be in or near that
circle, even as the local bartender or random person they once met,
the only question is where you feature.