'So that nobody could get at it.'
'You are a little too quick, my dear.'
'Marie, why can't you let your papa speak?' said Madame Melmotte.
'But of course, my dear,' continued Melmotte, 'I had no idea of putting the money beyond my own reach. Such a transaction is very common; and in such cases a man naturally uses the name of some one who is very near and dear to him, and in whom he is sure that he can put full confidence. And it is customary to choose a young person, as there will then be less danger of the accident of death. It was for these reasons, which I am sure that you will understand, that I chose you. Of course the property remained exclusively my own.'
'But it is really mine,' said Marie.
'No, miss; it was never yours,' said Melmotte, almost bursting out into anger, but restraining himself. 'How could it become yours, Marie? Did I ever make you a gift of it?'
'But I know that it did become mine,--legally.'
'By a quibble of law,--yes; but not so as to give you any right to it. I always draw the income.'
'But I could stop that, papa,--and if I were married, of course it would be stopped.'
Then, quick as a flash of lightning, another idea occurred to Melmotte, who feared that he already began to see that this child of his might be stiff-necked. 'As we are thinking of your marriage,' he said, 'it is necessary that a change should be made. Settlements must be drawn for the satisfaction of Lord Nidderdale and his father. The old Marquis is rather hard upon me, but the marriage is so splendid that I have consented. You must now sign these papers in four or five places. Mr Croll is here, in the next room, to witness your signature, and I will call him.'
'Wait a moment, papa.'
'Why should we wait?'
'I don't think I will sign them.'
'Why not sign them? You can't really suppose that the property is your own. You could not even get it if you did think so.'
'I don't know how that may be; but I had rather not sign them. If I am to be married, I ought not to sign anything except what he tells me.'
'He has no authority over you yet. I have authority over you. Marie, do not give more trouble. I am very much pressed for time. Let me call in Mr Croll.'