human
If the girl has got the money--,
gpt
I don't believe a bit of it, said Broune.
human
From all that I can hear, I don't think that there is any money. And if there is, you may be sure that Melmotte would not let it slip through his fingers in that way. I would not have anything to do with it.
gpt
You think it is all over with the Melmottes?
human
A rumour reached me just now that he had been already arrested. It was now between nine and ten in the evening.
gpt
But as I came away from my room, I heard that he was down at the House. That he will have to stand a trial for forgery, I think there cannot be a doubt, and I imagine that it will be found that not a shilling will be saved out of the property.
human
What a wonderful career it has been!
gpt
Yes,--the strangest thing that has come up in our days. I am inclined to think that the utter ruin at this moment has been brought about by his reckless personal expenditure.
human
Why did he spend such a lot of money?
gpt
Because he thought that he could conquer the world by it, and obtain universal credit. He very nearly succeeded too. Only he had forgotten to calculate the force of the envy of his competitors.
human
You think he has committed forgery?
gpt
Certainly, I think so. Of course we know nothing as yet.
human
Then I suppose it is better that Felix should not have married her.
gpt
Certainly better. No redemption was to have been had on that side, and I don't think you should regret the loss of such money as his. Lady Carbury shook her head, meaning probably to imply that even Melmotte's money would have had no bad odour to one so dreadfully in want of assistance as her son.
human
At any rate do not think of it any more. Then she told him her grief about Hetta.
gpt
Ah, there, said he,
human
I feel myself less able to express an authoritative opinion.
gpt
He doesn't owe a shilling, said Lady Carbury,
human
But if she doesn't like him?
gpt
Oh, but she does. She thinks him to be the finest person in the world. She would obey him a great deal sooner than she would me. But she has her mind stuffed with nonsense about love.
human
A great many people, Lady Carbury, have their minds stuffed with that nonsense.
gpt
Yes;--and ruin themselves with it, as she will do. Love is like any other luxury. You have no right to it unless you can afford it. And those who will have it when they can't afford it, will come to the ground like this Mr. Melmotte. How odd it seems! It isn't a fortnight since we all thought him the greatest man in London.