that it had
been mortgaged. He knew also what had become of the money which had so
been raised. But he knew nothing of the circumstances of the purchase,
although he probably surmised that Melmotte had succeeded in getting
the title-deeds on credit, without paying the money. He was afraid
that he could hardly see Cohenlupe and hold his tongue, and that he
could not speak to him without danger. He and Cohenlupe might have to
stand in a dock together; and Cohenlupe had none of his spirit. But
the clerks would think, and would talk, were he to leave the office
without seeing his old friend. He went therefore into his own room,
and called to Cohenlupe as he did so.

'Ve didn't expect you here to-day,' said the member for Staines.

'Nor did I expect to come. But there isn't much to do at Westminster
while the ballot is going on; so I came up, just to look at the
letters. The dinner went off pretty well yesterday, eh?'

'Uncommon;--nothing better. Vy did the Lord Mayor stay away,
Melmotte?'

'Because he's an ass and a cur,' said Mr Melmotte with an assumed air
of indignation. 'Alf and his people had got hold of him. There was
ever so much fuss about it at first,--whether he would accept the
invitation. I say it was an insult to the City to take it and not to
come. I shall be even with him some of these days.'

'Things will go on just the same as usual, Melmotte?'

'Go on. Of course they'll go. What's to hinder them?'

'There's ever so much been said,' whispered Cohenlupe.

'Said;--yes,' ejaculated Melmotte very loudly. 'You're not such a
fool, I hope, as to believe every word you hear. You'll have enough
to believe, if you do.'

'There's no knowing vat anybody does know, and vat anybody does not
know,' said Cohenlupe.

'Look you here, Cohenlupe,'--and now Melmotte also sank his voice to a
whisper,--'keep your tongue in your mouth; go about just as usual, and
say nothing. It's all right. There has been some heavy pulls upon us.'

'Oh dear, there has indeed!'

'But any paper with my name to it will come right.'

'That's nothing;--nothing at all,' said Cohenlupe.

'And there is nothing;--nothing at all! I've bought some property and
have paid for it; and I have bought some, and have not yet paid for
it. There's no fraud in that.'

'No, no,--nothing in that.'

'You hold your tongue, and go about your business. I'm going to the
bank now.' Cohenlupe had been very low in spirits, and was still low
in spirits; b