United States or Timor-Leste ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
And Sir Gregory Gribe had been obstinate, beyond the ordinary obstinacy of a bank director. The rate of discount at the bank could not be settled for to-morrow without communication with Mr Melmotte, and that was a matter on which the details were always most oppressive.
Lady Pomona and her two daughters were grand and handsome, but weary and dumb. In accordance with the treaty, Madame Melmotte had been entertained civilly for four entire days. It could not be expected that the ladies of Caversham should come forth unwearied after such a struggle. When dinner was announced Felix was allowed to take in Marie Melmotte.
All this praise was of course gall to those who found themselves called upon by the demands of their political position to oppose Mr Melmotte. You can run down a demi-god only by making him out to be a demi-devil.
Melmotte then stood with his back to the fireplace in his wife's sitting-room, with his hands in his pockets, contemplating what might be the incidents of the coming interview. He would be very gracious, affectionate if it were possible, and, above all things, explanatory.
'Melmotte, he said, still whispering; 'upon my word it isn't the thing. They're only Indian chaps and Eastern swells who are presented here, not a fellow among 'em all who hasn't been in India or China, or isn't a Secretary of State, or something of that kind. 'Then they should have done it at Windsor, or at the ball, said Melmotte, pulling down his waistcoat. 'By George, Alfred!
He had a vast amount of my property in his hands. Where has he gone? Croll shook his head. 'It never rains but it pours, said Melmotte. 'Well; I'll weather it all yet. I've been worse than I am now, Croll, as you know, and have had a hundred thousand pounds at my banker's, loose cash, before the month was out. 'Yes, indeed, said Croll.
He contented himself with endeavouring to show that the other man was not fit; and that he and his friends, though solicitous of proving to the electors that Mr Melmotte was about the most unfit man in the world, had been guilty of nothing shabby in their manner of doing so.
And Miles Grendall got back an I.O.U. of considerable nominal value from Lord Grasslough, who was anxious to accommodate two country cousins who were in London. Gradually the prices fell; not at first from any doubt in Melmotte, but through that customary reaction which may be expected on such occasions. But at eight or nine o'clock on the evening of the party the tickets were worth nothing.
But these things did not arrange themselves till late in the winter, long after Mr Fisker's departure for California. That, however, was protracted till a day much later than he anticipated before he had become intimate with Madame Melmotte and Marie. Madame Melmotte's affairs occupied him for a while almost exclusively.
Roger Carbury said well that it was very improbable that he and his cousin, the widow, should agree in their opinions as to the expedience of fortune-hunting by marriage. It was impossible that they should ever understand each other. To Lady Carbury the prospect of a union between her son and Miss Melmotte was one of unmixed joy and triumph.
Word Of The Day