After dinner he hardly spoke to her; indeed, the room itself,--the same big room in which they had been assembled before the feast,--seemed to be ill-adapted for conversation. Again nobody talked to anybody, and the minutes went very heavily till at last the carriages were there to take them all home. 'They arranged that you should sit next to her,' said Lady Carbury to her son, as they were in the carriage.
'Oh, I suppose that came naturally;--one young man and one young woman, you know.'
'Those things are always arranged, and they would not have done it unless they had thought that it would please Mr Melmotte. Oh, Felix! if you can bring it about.'
'I shall if I can, mother; you needn't make a fuss about it.'
'No, I won't. You cannot wonder that I should be anxious. You behaved beautifully to her at dinner; I was so happy to see you together. Good night, Felix, and God bless you!' she said again, as they were parting for the night. 'I shall be the happiest and the proudest mother in England if this comes about.'