When dinner was announced Felix was allowed to take in Marie Melmotte. There can be no doubt but that the Caversham ladies did execute their part of the treaty. They were led to suppose that this arrangement would be desirable to the Melmottes, and they made it. The great Augustus himself went in with Lady Carbury, much to her satisfaction. She also had been dumb in the drawing-room; but now, if ever, it would be her duty to exert herself. 'I hope you like Suffolk,' she said.
'Pretty well, I thank you. Oh, yes;--very nice place for a little fresh air.'
'Yes;--that's just it, Mr Melmotte. When the summer comes one does long so to see the flowers.'
'We have better flowers in our balconies than any I see down here,' said Mr Melmotte.
'No doubt;--because you can command the floral tribute of the world at large. What is there that money will not do? It can turn a London street into a bower of roses, and give you grottoes in Grosvenor Square.'
'It's a very nice place, is London.'
'If you have got plenty of money, Mr Melmotte.'
'And if you have not, it's the best place I know to get it. Do you live in London, ma'am?' He had quite forgotten Lady Carbury even if he had seen her at his house, and with the dulness of hearing common to men, had not picked up her name when told to take her out to dinner. 'Oh, yes, I live in London. I have had the honour of being entertained by you there.' This she said with her sweetest smile.
'Oh, indeed. So many do come, that I don't always just remember.'
'How should you,--with all the world flocking round you? I am Lady Carbury, the mother of Sir Felix Carbury, whom I think you will remember.'
'Yes; I know Sir Felix. He's sitting there, next to my daughter.'
'Happy fellow!'
'I don't know much about that. Young men don't get their happiness in that way now. They've got other things to think of.'
'He thinks so much of his business.'
'Oh! I didn't know,' said Mr Melmotte.
'He sits at the same Board with you, I think, Mr Melmotte.'
'Oh;--that's his business!' said Mr Melmotte, with a grim smile.
Lady Carbury was very clever as to many things, and was not ill-informed on matters in general that were going on around her; but she did not know much about the city, and was profoundly ignorant as to the duties of those Directors of whom, from time to time, she saw the names in a catalogue. 'I trust that he is diligent there,' she said; 'and that he is aware of the great privilege which he enjoys in having the advantage of your counsel and guidance.'