human
How is it that there are so many places empty?
gpt
Don't know,
human
Hasn't there been some mistake about the numbers? There's room for ever so many more.
gpt
Don't know,
human
What the deuce do you mean? whispered Melmotte.
gpt
You've been at it from the beginning and ought to know. When I wanted to ask Brehgert, you swore that you couldn't squeeze a place.
human
Can't say anything about it,
gpt
I'll be d---- if I don't find out, said Melmotte.
human
There's either some horrible blunder, or else there's been imposition. I don't see quite clearly. Where's Sir Gregory Gribe?
gpt
Hasn't come, I suppose.
human
And where's the Lord Mayor? Melmotte, in spite of royalty, was now sitting with his face turned round upon the hall.
gpt
I know all their places, and I know where they were put. Have you seen the Lord Mayor?
human
No; I haven't seen him at all.
gpt
But he was to come. What's the meaning of it, Alfred?
human
Don't know anything about it.
gpt
And where's Mr. Killegrew,--and Sir David Boss? Mr. Killegrew and Sir David were gentlemen of high standing, and destined for important offices in the Conservative party.
human
There are ever so many people not here. Why, there's not above half of them down the room. What's up, Alfred? I must know.
gpt
I tell you I know nothing. I could not make them come. Lord Alfred's answers were made not only with a surly voice, but also with a surly heart. He was keenly alive to the failure, and alive also to the feeling that the failure would partly be attached to himself. At the present moment he was anxious to avoid observation, and it seemed to him that Melmotte, by the frequency and impetuosity of his questions, was drawing special attention to him.
human
If you go on making a row, he said,
gpt
I shall go away. Melmotte looked at him with all his eyes.
human
Just sit quiet and let the thing go on. You'll know all about it soon enough.