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Another gentleman had also risen, and when the House called to that other gentleman Melmotte gave way. The other gentleman had not much to say, and in a few minutes Melmotte was again on his legs. Who shall dare to describe the thoughts which would cross the august mind of a Speaker of the House of Commons at such a moment? Of Melmotte's villainy he had no official knowledge.
But Sir Damask did not see his way. Melmotte was a working bee, while he was a drone, and he did not wish to have the difference pointed out by Mr Melmotte's supporters. Moreover, he preferred his yacht and his four-in-hand. At last a candidate was selected, whose nomination and whose consent to occupy the position created very great surprise in the London world.
Many an outsider was tried, but the outsiders were either afraid of Melmotte's purse or his influence. Lord Buntingford was asked, and he and his family were good old Whigs. But he was nephew to Lord Alfred Grendall, first cousin to Miles Grendall, and abstained on behalf of his relatives. An overture was made to Sir Damask Monogram, who certainly could afford the contest.
'Yes, Miss Melmotte, I remember you. 'Yes; I am Mr Melmotte's daughter. How is your son? I hope he is better. They told me he had been horribly used by a dreadful man in the street. 'Sit down, Miss Melmotte. He is getting better. Now Lady Carbury had heard within the last two days from Mr Broune that 'it was all over' with Melmotte.
'Haven't you been out? 'I was shopping, and that kind of thing. I don't want to take that girl into the Park. I've made a mistake in having her here, but I mean to be seen with her as little as I can. 'Be good-natured, Ju, whatever you are. 'Oh, bother! I know what I'm about. What is it you mean? 'They say Melmotte's been found out.
'Alfred's more than half afraid of him, said Lionel Lupton, a young aristocrat, also in Parliament, who had been inoculated with the idea that the interests of the party demanded Melmotte in Parliament, but who would have given up his Scotch shooting rather than have undergone Melmotte's company for a day.
When Mr Melmotte took his offices in Abchurch Lane, he was undoubtedly a great man, but nothing so great as when the South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway had become not only an established fact, but a fact established in Abchurch Lane. The great company indeed had an office of its own, where the Board was held; but everything was really managed in Mr Melmotte's own commercial sanctum.
You don't suppose that such a man as Melmotte would put up with any real interference. Paul endeavoured to assert himself, declaring that as one of the managers he meant to take a part in the management; that his fortune, such as it was, had been embarked in the matter, and was as important to him as was Mr Melmotte's fortune to Mr Melmotte. But Fisker got the better of him and put him down.
There was something worthy of consideration in Mr Melmotte's proposition. Marriage of itself, simply as a domestic institution, had not specially recommended itself to Sir Felix Carbury. A few horses at Leighton, Ruby Ruggles or any other beauty, and life at the Beargarden were much more to his taste.
If not elected at once, he should withdraw his name. So great was his prestige at this moment with his own party that there were some, Mr Longestaffe among the number, who pressed the thing on the committee. Mr Melmotte was not like other men. It was a great thing to have Mr Melmotte in the party. Mr Melmotte's financial capabilities would in themselves be a tower of strength.
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