s were bound to attend to the Emperor and the Prince.
But members of the Opposition, by their presence, would support the
man and the politician, and both as a man and as a politician they
were ashamed of him.

When Melmotte arrived at his own door with his wife and daughter he
had heard nothing of the matter. That a man so vexed with affairs of
money, so laden with cares, encompassed by such dangers, should be
free from suspicion and fear it is impossible to imagine. That such
burdens should be borne at all is a wonder to those whose shoulders
have never been broadened for such work;--as is the strength of the
blacksmith's arm to men who have never wielded a hammer. Surely his
whole life must have been a life of terrors! But of any special peril
to which he was at that moment subject, or of any embarrassment which
might affect the work of the evening, he knew nothing. He placed his
wife in the drawing-room and himself in the hall, and arranged his
immediate satellites around him,--among whom were included the two
Grendalls, young Nidderdale, and Mr Cohenlupe,--with a feeling of
gratified glory. Nidderdale down at the House had heard the rumour,
but had determined that he would not as yet fly from his colours.
Cohenlupe had also come up from the House, where no one had spoken to
him. Though grievously frightened during the last fortnight, he had
not dared to be on the wing as yet. And, indeed, to what clime could
such a bird as he fly in safety? He had not only heard,--but also
knew very much, and was not prepared to enjoy the feast. Since they
had been in the hall Miles had spoken dreadful words to his father.
'You've heard about it; haven't you?' whispered Miles. Lord Alfred,
remembering his sister's question, became almost pale, but declared
that he had heard nothing. 'They're saying all manner of things in the
City;--forgery and heaven knows what. The Lord Mayor is not coming.'
Lord Alfred made no reply. It was the philosophy of his life that
misfortunes when they came should be allowed to settle themselves. But
he was unhappy.

The grand arrivals were fairly punctual, and the very grand people all
came. The unfortunate Emperor,--we must consider a man to be unfortunate
who is compelled to go through such work as this,--with impassible and
awful dignity, was marshalled into the room on the ground floor,
whence he and other royalties were to be marshalled back into the
banqueting hall. Melmotte, bowing to the groun