‘Think of me, governor,’ said the son ’I have to be in the city four or five times a week.’

‘You’ve a regular salary.’

’Come, governor; you’ve done pretty well for that.  What’s my salary to the shares you’ve had?  The thing is;—­will it last?’

‘How last?’

‘There are a good many who say that Melmotte will burst up.’

‘I don’t believe it,’ said Lord Alfred.  ’They don’t know what they’re talking about.  There are too many in the same boat to let him burst up.  It would be the bursting up of half London.  But I shall tell him after this that he must make it easier.  He...