human
Alfred and Miles would both come, as Melmotte's dinners and wines were good, and occasionally the father would take the son's place,--but on this day they were both absent. Madame Melmotte had not as yet said a word to any one indicating her own apprehension of any evil. But not a person had called to-day,--the day after the great party,--and even she, though she was naturally callous in such matters, had begun to think that she was deserted. She had, too, become so used to the presence of the Grendalls, that she now missed their company. She thought that on this day, of all days, when the world was balloting for her husband at Westminster, they would both have been with him to discuss the work of the day.
gpt
Is not Mr. Grendall coming?
human
No, he is not,
gpt
Nor Lord Alfred?
human
Nor Lord Alfred. Melmotte had returned home much comforted by the day's proceedings. No one had dared to say a harsh word to his face. Nothing further had reached his ears. After leaving the bank he had gone back to his office, and had written letters,--just as if nothing had happened; and, as far as he could judge, his clerks had plucked up courage. One of them, about five o'clock, came into him with news from the west, and with second editions of the evening papers. The clerk expressed his opinion that the election was going well. Mr. Melmotte, judging from the papers, one of which was supposed to be on his side and the other of course against him, thought that his affairs altogether were looking well. The Westminster election had not the foremost place in his thoughts; but he took what was said on that subject as indicating the minds of men upon the other matter. He read Alf's speech, and consoled himself with thinking that Mr. Alf had not dared to make new accusations against him. All that about Hamburgh and Vienna and Paris was as old as the hills, and availed nothing. His whole candidature had been carried in the face of that.
gpt
I think we shall do pretty well, he said to the clerk. His very presence in Abchurch Lane of course gave confidence. And thus, when he came home, something of the old arrogance had come back upon him, and he could swagger at any rate before his wife and servants.
human
Nor Lord Alfred, he said with scorn. Then he added more.
gpt
The father and son are two d---- curs.
human
Is there anything wrong, Melmotte?
gpt
What do you call wrong?
human
I don't know;--but I seem to be afraid of something.
gpt
I should have thought you were used to that kind of feeling by this time.
human
Then there is something.
gpt
Don't be a fool. There is always something. There is always much. You don't suppose that this kind of thing can be carried on as smoothly as the life of an old maid with ú400 a year paid quarterly in advance.
human
Shall we have to--move again?
gpt
How am I to tell? You haven't much to do when we move, and may get plenty to eat and drink wherever you go. Does that girl mean to marry Lord Nidderdale? Madame Melmotte shook her head.
human
What a poor creature you must be when you can't talk her out of a fancy for such a reprobate as young Carbury. If she throws me over, I'll throw her over. I'll flog her within an inch of her life if she disobeys me. You tell her that I say so.
gpt
Then he may flog me, said Marie, when so much of the conversation was repeated to her that evening.
human
Papa does not know me if he thinks that I'm to be made to marry a man by flogging.
gpt
Breakfast Table, repeated this report,--but each gave it as the general opinion on the matter. The truth would not be known till seven or eight o'clock in the evening. The Conservative papers did not scruple to say that the presumed election of Mr. Alf was owing to a sudden declension in the confidence originally felt in Mr. Melmotte. The
human
Breakfast Table, which had supported Mr. Melmotte's candidature, gave no reason, and expressed more doubt on the result than the other papers.
gpt
We know not how such an opinion forms itself, the writer said;--