Melmotte, when his guests ascended his stairs, went back into the banqueting-room and through to the hall, and wandered about till he found Miles Grendall.
'Miles,' he said, 'tell me what the row is.'
'How row?' asked Miles.
'There's something wrong, and you know all about it. Why didn't the people come?' Miles, looking guilty, did not even attempt to deny his knowledge. 'Come; what is it? We might as well know all about it at once.' Miles looked down on the ground, and grunted something. 'Is it about the election?'
'No, it's not that,' said Miles.
'Then what is it?'
'They got hold of something to-day in the City--about Pickering.'
'They did, did they? And what were they saying about Pickering? Come; you might as well out with it. You don't suppose that I care what lies they tell.'
'They say there's been something--forged. Title-deeds, I think they say.'
'Title-deeds! that I have forged title-deeds. Well; that's beginning well. And his lordship has stayed away from my house after accepting my invitation because he has heard that story! All right, Miles; that will do.' And the Great Financier went upstairs into his own drawing-room.