"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."