human
I don't know what to make of it, said Mr. Broune.
gpt
There is a story abroad that Mr. Melmotte has forged some document with reference to a purchase he made,--and hanging on to that story are other stories as to moneys that he has raised. I should say that it was simply an electioneering trick, and a very unfair trick, were it not that all his own side seem to believe it.
human
Do you believe it?
gpt
Ah,--I could answer almost any question sooner than that.
human
Then he can't be rich at all.
gpt
Even that would not follow. He has such large concerns in hand that he might be very much pressed for funds, and yet be possessed of immense wealth. Everybody says that he pays all his bills.
human
Will he be returned?
gpt
From what we hear, we think not. I shall know more about it in an hour or two. At present I should not like to have to publish an opinion; but were I forced to bet, I would bet against him. Nobody is doing anything for him. There can be no doubt that his own party are ashamed of him. As things used to be, this would have been fatal to him at the day of election; but now, with the ballot, it won't matter so much. If I were a candidate, at present, I think I would go to bed on the last day, and beg all my committee to do the same as soon as they had put in their voting papers.
human
I am glad Felix did not go to Liverpool,
gpt
It would not have made much difference. She would have been brought back all the same. They say Lord Nidderdale still means to marry her.
human
I saw him talking to her last night.
gpt
There must be an immense amount of property somewhere. No one doubts that he was rich when he came to England two years ago, and they say everything has prospered that he has put his hand to since. The Mexican Railway shares had fallen this morning, but they were at ú15 premium yesterday morning. He must have made an enormous deal out of that. But Mr. Broune's eloquence on this occasion was chiefly displayed in regard to the presumption of Mr. Alf.
human
I shouldn't think him such a fool if he had announced his resignation of the editorship when he came before the world as a candidate for parliament. But a man must be mad who imagines that he can sit for Westminster and edit a London daily paper at the same time.
gpt
Has it never been done?
human
Never, I think;--that is, by the editor of such a paper as the 'Pulpit.' How is a man who sits in parliament himself ever to pretend to discuss the doings of parliament with impartiality? But Alf believes that he can do more than anybody else ever did, and he'll come to the ground. Where's Felix now?
gpt
Do not ask me,
human
Is he doing anything?
gpt
He lies in bed all day, and is out all night.
human
But that wants money. She only shook her head.
gpt
You do not give him any?
human
I have none to give.
gpt
I should simply take the key of the house from him,--or bolt the door if he will not give it up.
human
And be in bed, and listen while he knocks,--knowing that he must wander in the streets if I refuse to let him in? A mother cannot do that, Mr. Broune. A child has such a hold upon his mother. When her reason has bade her to condemn him, her heart will not let her carry out the sentence.