human
Ve didn't expect you here to-day,
gpt
Nor did I expect to come. But there isn't much to do at Westminster while the ballot is going on; so I came up, just to look at the letters. The dinner went off pretty well yesterday, eh?
human
Uncommon;--nothing better. Vy did the Lord Mayor stay away, Melmotte?
gpt
Because he's an ass and a cur, said Mr. Melmotte with an assumed air of indignation.
human
Alf and his people had got hold of him. There was ever so much fuss about it at first,--whether he would accept the invitation. I say it was an insult to the City to take it and not to come. I shall be even with him some of these days.
gpt
Things will go on just the same as usual, Melmotte?
human
Go on. Of course they'll go. What's to hinder them?
gpt
There's ever so much been said,
human
Said;--yes, ejaculated Melmotte very loudly.
gpt
You're not such a fool, I hope, as to believe every word you hear. You'll have enough to believe, if you do.
human
There's no knowing vat anybody does know, and vat anybody does not know,
gpt
Look you here, Cohenlupe, --and now Melmotte also sank his voice to a whisper,--
human
Oh dear, there has indeed!
gpt
But any paper with my name to it will come right.
human
That's nothing;--nothing at all,
gpt
And there is nothing;--nothing at all! I've bought some property and have paid for it; and I have bought some, and have not yet paid for it. There's no fraud in that.
human
No, no,--nothing in that.
gpt
You hold your tongue, and go about your business. I'm going to the bank now.
human
We hardly expected to see you in the City to-day, Mr. Melmotte.
gpt
And I didn't expect to see myself here. But it always happens that when one expects that there's most to be done, there's nothing to be done at all. They're all at work down at Westminster, balloting; but as I can't go on voting for myself, I'm of no use. I've been at Covent Garden this morning, making a stump speech, and if all that they say there is true, I haven't much to be afraid of.
human
And the dinner went off pretty well?
gpt
Very well, indeed. They say the Emperor liked it better than anything that has been done for him yet. This was a brilliant flash of imagination.
human
For a friend to dine with me every day, you know, I should prefer somebody who had a little more to say for himself. But then, perhaps, you know, if you or I were in China we shouldn't have much to say for ourselves;--eh? The manager acceded to this proposition.
gpt
We had one awful disappointment. His lordship from over the way didn't come.
human
The Lord Mayor, you mean.
gpt
The Lord Mayor didn't come! He was frightened at the last moment;--took it into his head that his authority in the City was somehow compromised. But the wonder was that the dinner went on without him. Then Melmotte referred to the purport of his call there that day. He would have to draw large cheques for his private wants.
human
You don't give a dinner to an Emperor of China for nothing, you know.