"My mother doesn't understand anything at all about it," said Sir Felix.
"Women never do. Well;—what can I do for you, now that you are here?"
"Mr. Melmotte, I'm come,—I'm come to;—in short, Mr. Melmotte, I want to propose myself as a suitor for your daughter's hand."
"The d—— you do!"
"Well, yes; and we hope you'll give us your consent."
"She knows you're coming then?"
"Yes;—she knows."
"And my wife;—does she know?"
"I've never spoken to her about it. Perhaps Miss Melmotte has."
"And how long have you and she understood each other?"