'You wouldn't have come back if he hadn't done that.'
'Of course I wouldn't,' said Marie.
The gentleman had telegraphed up to Grosvenor Square while on the journey, and at Euston Square they were met by one of the Melmotte carriages. Marie was to be taken home in the carriage, and the box was to follow in a cab;--to follow at some interval so that Grosvenor Square might not be aware of what had taken place. Grosvenor Square, of course, very soon knew all about it. 'And are you to come?' Marie asked, speaking to the gentleman. The gentleman replied that he had been requested to see Miss Melmotte home. 'All the people will wonder who you are,' said Marie laughing. Then the gentleman thought that Miss Melmotte would be able to get through her troubles without much suffering.
When she got home she was hurried up at once to her mother's room,--and there she found her father, alone. 'This is your game, is it?' said he, looking down at her.
'Well, papa;--yes. You made me do it.'
'You fool you! You were going to New York,--were you?' To this she vouchsafed no reply. 'As if I hadn't found out all about it. Who was going with you?'
'If you have found out all about it, you know, papa.'
'Of course I know;--but you don't know all about it, you little idiot.'
'No doubt I'm a fool and an idiot. You always say so.'
'Where do you suppose Sir Felix Carbury is now?' Then she opened her eyes and looked at him. 'An hour ago he was in bed at his mother's house in Welbeck Street.'
'I don't believe it, papa.'
'You don't, don't you? You'll find it true. If you had gone to New York, you'd have gone alone. If I'd known at first that he had stayed behind, I think I'd have let you go.'
'I'm sure he didn't stay behind.'
'If you contradict me, I'll box your ears, you jade. He is in London at this moment. What has become of the woman that went with you?'
'She's gone on board the ship.'
'And where is the money you took from your mother?' Marie was silent. 'Who got the cheque changed?'
'Didon did.'
'And has she got the money?'
'No, papa.'
'Have you got it?'
'No, papa.'
'Did you give it to Sir Felix Carbury?'
'Yes, papa.'
'Then I'll be hanged if I don't prosecute him for stealing it.'