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Were it necessary that a crash should come they would be as good creditors as any other. But then he was painfully alive to the fact that something beyond simple indebtedness was involved in that transaction. He had with his own hand traced Dolly Longestaffe's signature on the letter which he had found in old Mr Longestaffe's drawer.
He knew that Longestaffe owed him over £300, and he knew also that he had received more than that in ready money and cheques from Lord Grasslough and the other player. Dolly Longestaffe's money, too, would certainly be paid, though Dolly did complain of the importunity of his tradesmen. As he walked up St. James's Street, looking for a cab, he presumed himself to be worth over £700.
And Mr Melmotte had bought Mr Longestaffe's estate at Pickering on terms very favourable to the Longestaffes. It had been suggested to Mr Longestaffe by Mr Melmotte that he had better qualify for his seat at the Board by taking shares in the Company to the amount of perhaps two or three thousand pounds, and Mr Longestaffe had of course consented.
'I dare say they did, but they are all good against these other fellows. Then Fisker, with most perfect good humour, extracted one from the mass which indicated Dolly Longestaffe's indebtedness to the amount of £50.
As he let himself into the house and went up to his room he resolved that he would not say anything about it. On that morning he was at the station at nine, and hunted down in Buckinghamshire, riding two of Dolly Longestaffe's horses for the use of which he paid Dolly Longestaffe's 'fellow' thirty shilling.
He, Miles, knew that Mr Melmotte was particularly desirous of seeing Mr Longestaffe. Mr Melmotte had mentioned Mr Longestaffe's name twice during the last three days. Would Mr Longestaffe sit down for a few minutes? At this moment a deputation from the Canadian Government was with him; and Sir Gregory Gribe was in the office waiting for a few words.
This letter, which was signed Slow and Bideawhile, declared positively that the title-deeds had been given up on authority received by them from both the Longestaffes, father and son. Now the accusation brought against Melmotte, as far as he could as yet understand it, was that he had forged the signature to the young Mr Longestaffe's letter. Messrs Slow and Bideawhile were therefore on his side.
'I heard that also; but he certainly had not been arrested when I left the House. Then he went up and put his hand on Dolly Longestaffe's shoulder, and spoke to him. 'I suppose you were about right the other night and I was about wrong; but you could understand what it was that I meant. I'm afraid this is a bad look out for both of us. 'Yes; I understand. It's deuced bad for me, said Dolly.
'Has Longestaffe's money been paid? said Cohenlupe opening his black eyes while he looked up into his friend's face. 'Don't you trouble your head about Longestaffe, or his money either, said Melmotte, getting into his brougham; 'do you leave Mr Longestaffe and his money to me. I hope you are not such a fool as to be scared by what the other fools say.
'Explains what, Felix? said Lady Carbury, who had heard of Dolly Longestaffe, and was not without some fear that this projected visit to Caversham might have some matrimonial purpose in reference to that delightful young heir. 'They say at the club that Melmotte has taken up old Longestaffe's affairs, and means to put them straight.
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