Resources for students & teachers

present moment the chief secretary of the Russian Legation was with Mr Melmotte.  Either the chief secretary was very tedious with his business, or else other big men must have come in, for Mr Longestaffe was not relieved till he was summoned to walk off to the Board five minutes after the hour at which the Board should have met.  He thought that he could explain his views in the street; but on the stairs they were joined by Mr Cohenlupe, and in three minutes they were in the Board room.  Mr Longestaffe was then presented, and took the chair opposite to Miles Grendall.  Montague was not there, but had sent a letter to the secretary explaining that for reasons with which the chairman was acquainted he should absent himself from the present meeting.  ‘All right,’ said Melmotte.  ’I know all about it.  Go on.  I’m not sure but that Mr Montague’s retirement from among us may be an advantage.  He could not be made to understand that unanimity in such an enterprise as this is essential.  I am confident that the new director whom I have had the pleasure of introducing to you to-day will not sin in the same direction.’  Then Mr Melmotte bowed and smiled very sweetly on Mr Longestaffe.

Mr Longestaffe was astonished to find how soon the business was done, and how very little he had been called on to do.  Miles Grendall had read something out of a book which he had been unable to follow.  Then the chairman had read some figures.  Mr Cohenlupe had declared that their prosperity was unprecedented;—­and the Board was over.  When Mr Longestaffe explained to Miles Grendall that he still wished to speak to Mr Melmotte, Miles explained to him that the chairman had been obliged to run off to a meeting of gentlemen connected with the interior of Africa, which was now being held at the Cannon Street Hotel.

CHAPTER XLVI — ROGER CARBURY AND HIS TWO FRIENDS

Roger Carbury, having found Ruby Ruggles, and having ascertained that she was at any rate living in a respectable house with her aunt, returned to Carbury.  He had given the girl his advice, and had done so in a manner that was not altogether ineffectual.  He had frightened her, and had also frightened Mrs Pipkin.  He had taught Mrs Pipkin to believe that the new dispensation was not yet so completely established as to clear her from all responsibility as to her niece’s conduct.  Having done so much, and feeling that there was no more to be done, he returned home.  It was out of the question that he should take Ruby with him.  In the first place she would not have gone.  And then,—­had she gone,—­he would not have known where to bestow her.  For it was now understood throughout Bungay,—­and the news had spread to Beccles,—­that old Farmer Ruggles had sworn that his granddaughter should never again be received at Sheep’s Acre Farm.  The squire on his return home heard all the news from his own housekeeper.  John Crumb had been at the farm and there had been a fierce quarrel between him