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He still had a pocketbook full of those issued by Miles Grendall; but it was now an understood thing at the Beargarden that no one was to be called upon to take them except Miles Grendall himself; an arrangement which robbed the card-table of much of its delight.
Nidderdale is the best fellow going, but he was always an ass. Nor had Miles Grendall been seen in the club for three days. 'We've got into a way of play the poor fellow doesn't like, said Lord Grasslough; 'and then Melmotte won't let him out of his sight.
He has taken to dine there every day. This was said during the election, on the very day on which Miles deserted his patron; and on that evening he did dine at the club. Paul Montague also dined there, and would fain have heard something from Grendall as to Melmotte's condition; but the secretary, if not faithful in all things, was faithful at any rate in his silence.
It was astonishing that such a one as Miles Grendall should have learned his business so well and should have made himself so handy! In the meantime both Mr Broune and Lord Nidderdale came to the office, and both were received without delay. Mr Broune was the first. Miles knew who he was, and made no attempt to seat him in the same room with Mr Longestaffe.
During the last half hour he had made himself very unpleasant at the club, saying all manner of harsh things of Miles Grendall; of whom, indeed, it was almost impossible to say things too hard, had they been said in a proper form and at a proper time.
He was very cross, as brave as brandy could make him, and well inclined to expose Miles Grendall if he could find an opportunity. Up in the card-room he found all the accustomed men, with the exception of Miles Grendall. Nidderdale, Grasslough, Dolly, Paul Montague, and one or two others were there.
'I shall not play, said Mr Lupton. 'There isn't a pack of cards in the house, said Dolly. Lord Grasslough didn't condescend to say a word. Sir Felix sat down with his cigar in his mouth, and the others continued to smoke in silence. 'I wonder what has become of Miles Grendall, asked Sir Felix. But no one made any answer, and they smoked on in silence.
There was, at any rate, comfort in the idea of playing without having to encounter the dead weight of Miles Grendall. Ready money was on the table, and there was none of the peculiar Beargarden paper flying about. Indeed the men at the Beargarden had become sick of paper, and there had been formed a half-expressed resolution that the play should be somewhat lower, but the payments punctual.
'I'll marry Lord Nidderdale, or that horrid Mr Grendall who is worse than all the others, or his old fool of a father, or the sweeper at the crossing, or the black man that waits at table, or anybody else that he chooses to pick up. I don't care who it is the least in the world. But I'll lead him such a life afterwards! I'll make Lord Nidderdale repent the hour he saw me!
One thing only was clear to him. He must realize his possessions. With this view he wrote both to Miles Grendall and to Melmotte. To the former he said he was going out of town, probably for some time, and he must really ask for a cheque for the amount due.
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