'I shouldn't wonder.'
'And Miles Grendall owes me two thousand. Grasslough and Nidderdale when they lose always pay with Miles's I.O.U.'s.'
'So should I, if I had them.'
'It'll come to that soon that there won't be any other stuff going, and they really ain't worth anything. I don't see what's the use of playing when this rubbish is shoved about the table. As for Grendall himself, he has no feeling about it.'
'Not the least, I should say.'
'You'll try and get me the money, won't you, Dolly?'
'Melmotte has been at me twice. He wants me to agree to sell something. He's an old thief, and of course he means to rob me. You may tell him that if he'll let me have the money in the way I've proposed, you are to have a thousand pounds out of it. I don't know any other way.'
'You could write me that,--in a business sort of way.'
'I couldn't do that, Carbury. What's the use? I never write any letters, I can't do it. You tell him that; and if the sale comes off, I'll make it straight.'
Miles Grendall also dined there, and after dinner, in the smoking-room, Sir Felix tried to do a little business with the Secretary. He began his operations with unusual courtesy, believing that the man must have some influence with the great distributor of shares.
'I'm going to take up my shares in that company,' said Sir Felix.
'Ah;--indeed.' And Miles enveloped himself from head to foot in smoke.
'I didn't quite understand about it, but Nidderdale saw Melmotte and he has explained it, I think I shall go in for a couple of thousand on Wednesday.'
'Oh;--ah.'
'It will be the proper thing to do--won't it?'
'Very good--thing to do!' Miles Grendall smoked harder and harder as the suggestions were made to him.
'Is it always ready money?'
'Always ready money,' said Miles shaking his head, as though in reprobation of so abominable an institution.
'I suppose they allow some time to their own Directors, if a deposit, say 50 per cent., is made for the shares?'
'They'll give you half the number, which would come to the same thing.'
Sir Felix turned this over in his mind, but let him look at it as he would, could not see the truth of his companion's remark. 'You know I should want to sell again,--for the rise.'
'Oh; you'll want to sell again.'
'And therefore I must have the full number.'