, Melmotte?'

'Hurt me! I don't know what you call hurting. Whatever there is to be
borne, I suppose it is I must bear it. I have not had it very soft all
my life hitherto, and I don't think it's going to be very soft now.'

'Shall we have to move?'

'Very likely. Move! What's the harm of moving? You talk of moving as
though that were the worst thing that could happen. How would you like
to be in some place where they wouldn't let you move?'

'Are they going to send you to prison?'

'Hold your tongue.'

'Tell me, Melmotte;--are they going to?' Then the poor woman did
sit down, overcome by her feelings.

'I didn't ask you to come here for a scene,' said Melmotte. 'Do as I
bid you about your own jewels, and Marie's. The thing is to have them
in small compass, and that you should not have it to do at the last
moment, when you will be flurried and incapable. Now you needn't stay
any longer, and it's no good asking any questions because I shan't
answer them.' So dismissed, the poor woman crept out again, and
immediately, after her own slow fashion, went to work with her
ornaments.

Melmotte sat up during the greater part of the night, sometimes sipping
brandy and water, and sometimes smoking. But he did no work, and
hardly touched a paper after his wife left him.

CHAPTER LXXXII - MARIE'S PERSEVERANCE

Very early the next morning, very early that is for London life,
Melmotte was told by a servant that Mr Croll had called and wanted to
see him. Then it immediately became a question with him whether he
wanted to see Croll. 'Is it anything special?' he asked. The man
thought that it was something special, as Croll had declared his
purpose of waiting when told that Mr Melmotte was not as yet dressed.
This happened at about nine o'clock in the morning. Melmotte longed to
know every detail of Croll's manner,--to know even the servant's
opinion of the clerk's manner,--but he did not dare to ask a question.
Melmotte thought that it might be well to be gracious. 'Ask him if he
has breakfasted, and if not give him something in the study.' But Mr
Croll had breakfasted and declined any further refreshment.

Nevertheless Melmotte had not as yet made up his mind that he would
meet his clerk. His clerk was his clerk. It might perhaps be well that
he should first go into the City and send word to Croll, bidding him
wait for his return. Over and over again, against his will, the
question of flying would present itself t