human
What made you so savage at old Melmotte to-day?
gpt
I didn't mean to be savage, but I think that as we call ourselves Directors we ought to know something about it.
human
I suppose we ought. I don't know, you know. I'll tell you what I've been thinking. I can't make out why the mischief they made me a Director.
gpt
Because you're a lord,
human
I suppose there's something in that. But what good can I do them? Nobody thinks that I know anything about business. Of course I'm in Parliament, but I don't often go there unless they want me to vote. Everybody knows that I'm hard up. I can't understand it. The Governor said that I was to do it, and so I've done it.
gpt
They say, you know,--there's something between you and Melmotte's daughter.
human
But if there is, what has that to do with a railway in the city? And why should Carbury be there? And, heaven and earth, why should old Grendall be a Director? I'm impecunious; but if you were to pick out the two most hopeless men in London in regard to money, they would be old Grendall and young Carbury. I've been thinking a good deal about it, and I can't make it out.
gpt
I have been thinking about it too,
human
I suppose old Melmotte is all right? asked Nidderdale. This was a question which Montague found it difficult to answer. How could he be justified in whispering suspicions to the man who was known to be at any rate one of the competitors for Marie Melmotte's hand?
gpt
You can speak out to me, you know,
human
I've got nothing to speak. People say that he is about the richest man alive.
gpt
He lives as though he were.
human
I don't see why it shouldn't be all true. Nobody, I take it, knows very much about him. When his companion had left him, Nidderdale sat down, thinking of it all. It occurred to him that he would
gpt
Carbury, and Grasslough, and Dolly Longestaffe are there waiting, he said. But Paul declined. He was too full of his troubles for play.
human
Poor Miles isn't there, if you're afraid of that,
gpt
Miles Grendall wouldn't hinder me,
human
Nor me either. Of course it's a confounded shame. I know that as well as any body. But, God bless me, I owe a fellow down in Leicestershire heaven knows how much for keeping horses, and that's a shame.
gpt
You'll pay him some day.
human
I suppose I shall,--if I don't die first. But I should have gone on with the horses just the same if there had never been anything to come;--only they wouldn't have given me tick, you know. As far as I'm concerned it's just the same. I like to live whether I've got money or not. And I fear I don't have many scruples about paying. But then I like to let live too. There's Carbury always saying nasty things about poor Miles. He's playing himself without a rap to back him. If he were to lose, Vossner wouldn't stand him a ú10 note. But because he has won, he goes on as though he were old Melmotte himself. You'd better come up.
gpt
Mamma is out with Roger, said Hetta endeavouring to save herself from confusion.
human
There is a soirÚe of learned people somewhere, and she made poor Roger take her. The ticket was only for her and her friend, and therefore I could not go.
gpt
I am so glad to see you. What an age it is since we met.
human
Hardly since the Melmottes' ball,
gpt
Hardly indeed. I have been here once since that. What has brought Roger up to town?
human
I don't know what it is. Some mystery, I think. Whenever there is a mystery I am always afraid that there is something wrong about Felix. I do get so unhappy about Felix, Mr. Montague.
gpt
I saw him to-day in the city, at the Railway Board.
human
But Roger says the Railway Board is all a sham, --Paul could not keep himself from blushing as he heard this,--
gpt
She is to marry Lord Nidderdale, I think.
human
Is she? They are talking of her marrying Felix, and of course it is for her money. And I believe that man is determined to quarrel with them.
gpt
What man, Miss Carbury?
human
Mr. Melmotte himself. It's all horrid from beginning to end.
gpt
But I saw them in the city to-day and they seemed to be the greatest friends. When I wanted to see Mr. Melmotte he bolted himself into an inner room, but he took your brother with him. He would not have done that if they had not been friends. When I saw it I almost thought that he had consented to the marriage.
human
Roger has the greatest dislike to Mr. Melmotte.
gpt
I know he has,
human
And Roger is always right. It is always safe to trust him. Don't you think so, Mr. Montague? Paul did think so, and was by no means disposed to deny to his rival the praise which rightly belonged to him; but still he found the subject difficult.
gpt
Of course I will never go against mamma, continued Hetta,
human
No one has more reason to praise him than I have.
gpt
I think everybody has reason to praise him that has to do with him. And I'll tell you why I think it is. Whenever he thinks anything he says it;--or, at least, he never says anything that he doesn't think. If he spent a thousand pounds, everybody would know that he'd got it to spend; but other people are not like that.
human
You're thinking of Melmotte.
gpt
I'm thinking of everybody, Mr. Montague;--of everybody except Roger.
human
Is he the only man you can trust? But it is abominable to me to seem even to contradict you. Roger Carbury has been to me the best friend that any man ever had. I think as much of him as you do.
gpt
I didn't say he was the only person;--or I didn't mean to say so. But of all my friends--
human
Am I among the number, Miss Carbury?
gpt
Yes;--I suppose so. Of course you are. Why not? Of course you are a friend,--because you are his friend.
human
Look here, Hetta, he said.
gpt
It is no good going on like this. I love Roger Carbury,--as well as one man can love another. He is all that you say,--and more. You hardly know how he denies himself, and how he thinks of everybody near him. He is a gentleman all round and every inch. He never lies. He never takes what is not his own. I believe he does love his neighbour as himself.
human
Oh, Mr. Montague! I am so glad to hear you speak of him like that.
gpt
I love him better than any man,--as well as a man can love a man. If you will say that you love him as well as a woman can love a man,--I will leave England at once, and never return to it.
human
There's mamma,
gpt
I DO LOVE HIM.