human
By George! said Dolly.
gpt
And you think you saw him do it!
human
It's not thinking at all. I'm sure I saw him do it three times. I believe he always had an ace somewhere about him. Dolly sat quite silent thinking of it.
gpt
What had I better do?
human
By George;--I don't know.
gpt
What should you do?
human
Nothing at all. I shouldn't believe my own eyes. Or if I did, should take care not to look at him.
gpt
You wouldn't go on playing with him?
human
Yes I should. It'd be such a bore breaking up.
gpt
But Dolly,--if you think of it!
human
That's all very fine, my dear fellow, but I shouldn't think of it.
gpt
And you won't give me your advice.
human
Well;--no; I think I'd rather not. I wish you hadn't told me. Why did you pick me out to tell me? Why didn't you tell Nidderdale?
gpt
He might have said, why didn't you tell Longestaffe?
human
No, he wouldn't. Nobody would suppose that anybody would pick me out for this kind of thing. If I'd known that you were going to tell me such a story as this I wouldn't have come with you.
gpt
That's nonsense, Dolly.
human
Very well. I can't bear these kind of things. I feel all in a twitter already.
gpt
You mean to go on playing just the same?
human
Of course I do. If he won anything very heavy I should begin to think about it, I suppose. Oh; this is Abchurch Lane, is it? Now for the man of money.
gpt
Both Dolly and Sir Felix were astonished by the quick way in which the great financier understood their views and the readiness with which he undertook to comply with them. No disagreeable questions were asked as to the nature of the debt between the young men. Dolly was called upon to sign a couple of documents, and Sir Felix to sign one,--and then they were assured that the thing was done. Mr. Adolphus Longestaffe had paid Sir Felix Carbury a thousand pounds, and Sir Felix Carbury's commission had been accepted by Mr. Melmotte for the purchase of railway stock to that amount. Sir Felix attempted to say a word. He endeavoured to explain that his object in this commercial transaction was to make money immediately by reselling the shares,--and to go on continually making money by buying at a low price and selling at a high price. He no doubt did believe that, being a Director, if he could once raise the means of beginning this game, he could go on with it for an unlimited period;--buy and sell, buy and sell;--so that he would have an almost regular income. This, as far as he could understand, was what Paul Montague was allowed to do,--simply because he had become a Director with a little money. Mr. Melmotte was cordiality itself, but he could not be got to go into particulars. It was all right.
human
You will wish to sell again, of course;--of course. I'll watch the market for you. When the young men left the room all they knew, or thought that they knew, was, that Dolly Longestaffe had authorised Melmotte to pay a thousand pounds on his behalf to Sir Felix, and that Sir Felix had instructed the same great man to buy shares with the amount.
gpt
But why didn't he give you the scrip?
human
I suppose it's all right with him,
gpt
Oh yes;--it's all right. Thousands of pounds to him are only like half-crowns to us fellows. I should say it's all right. All the same, he's the biggest rogue out, you know.
human
I have spoken to her father,
gpt
And what did Mr. Melmotte say?
human
Say;--what should he say? He wanted to know what income I had got. After all he's an old screw.
gpt
Did he forbid you to come there any more?
human
Now, mother, it's no use your cross-examining me. If you'll let me alone I'll do the best I can.
gpt
She has accepted you, herself?
human
Of course she has. I told you that at Carbury.
gpt
Then, Felix, if I were you I'd run off with her. I would indeed. It's done every day, and nobody thinks any harm of it when you marry the girl. You could do it now because I know you've got money. From all I can hear she's just the sort of girl that would go with you. The son sat silent, listening to these maternal councils. He did believe that Marie would go off with him, were he to propose the scheme to her. Her own father had almost alluded to such a proceeding,--had certainly hinted that it was feasible,--but at the same time had very clearly stated that in such case the ardent lover would have to content himself with the lady alone. In any such event as that there would be no fortune. But then, might not that only be a threat? Rich fathers generally do forgive their daughters, and a rich father with only one child would surely forgive her when she returned to him, as she would do in this instance, graced with a title. Sir Felix thought of all this as he sat there silent. His mother read his thoughts as she continued.
human
Of course, Felix, there must be some risk.
gpt
Fancy what it would be to be thrown over at last! he exclaimed.
human
I couldn't bear it. I think I should kill her.
gpt
Oh no, Felix; you wouldn't do that. But when I say there would be some risk I mean that there would be very little. There would be nothing in it that ought to make him really angry. He has nobody else to give his money to, and it would be much nicer to have his daughter, Lady Carbury, with him, than to be left all alone in the world.
human
I couldn't live with him, you know. I couldn't do it.
gpt
You needn't live with him, Felix. Of course she would visit her parents. When the money was once settled you need see as little of them as you pleased. Pray do not allow trifles to interfere with you. If this should not succeed, what are you to do? We shall all starve unless something be done. If I were you, Felix, I would take her away at once. They say she is of age.
human
I shouldn't know where to take her, said Sir Felix, almost stunned into thoughtfulness by the magnitude of the proposition made to him.
gpt
All that about Scotland is done with now.
human
Of course you would marry her at once.
gpt
I suppose so,--unless it were better to stay as we were, till the money was settled.
human
Oh, no; no! Everybody would be against you. If you take her off in a spirited sort of way and then marry her, everybody will be with you. That's what you want. The father and mother will be sure to come round, if--
gpt
The mother is nothing.
human
He will come round if people speak up in your favour. I could get Mr. Alf and Mr. Broune to help. I'd try it, Felix; indeed I would. Ten thousand a year is not to be had every year.
gpt
--if
human
Suppose we go down-stairs,
gpt
Certainly, my lord, said Melmotte.
human
I'll show your lordship the way.