human
Ain't he here?
gpt
No;--and the Lord Mayor's not come;--nor Postlethwaite, nor Bunter. What's the meaning of it?
human
I'm here, that's all I can say, Mr. Melmotte; and I've had a very good dinner. They who haven't come, have lost a very good dinner.
gpt
It's very odd, he said,
human
It is odd,
gpt
You have a wonderful assemblage here, Mr. Melmotte,
human
Yes, ma'am, yes. His Majesty the Emperor has been pleased to intimate that he has been much gratified. --Had the Emperor in truth said so, no one who looked at him could have believed his imperial word.--
gpt
Can you tell me, Mr. Beauclerk, why those other gentlemen are not here? It looks very odd; does it not?
human
Ah; you mean Killegrew.
gpt
Yes; Mr. Killegrew and Sir David Boss, and the whole lot. I made a particular point of their coming. I said I wouldn't have the dinner at all unless they were to be asked. They were going to make it a Government thing; but I said no. I insisted on the leaders of our own party; and now they're not here. I know the cards were sent;--and, by George, I have their answers, saying they'd come.
human
I suppose some of them are engaged,
gpt
Engaged! What business has a man to accept one engagement and then take another? And, if so, why shouldn't he write and make his excuses? No, Mr. Beauclerk, that won't go down.
human
I'm here, at any rate,
gpt
Oh, yes, you're here. You're all right. But what is it, Mr. Beauclerk? There's something up, and you must have heard. And so it was clear to Mr. Beauclerk that the man knew nothing about it himself. If there was anything wrong, Melmotte was not aware that the wrong had been discovered.
human
Is it anything about the election to-morrow?
gpt
One never can tell what is actuating people,
human
If you know anything about the matter I think you ought to tell me.
gpt
I know nothing except that the ballot will be taken to-morrow. You and I have got nothing more to do in the matter except to wait the result.
human
Well; I suppose it's all right,