‘And what did Mr Melmotte say?’

’Say;—­what should he say?  He wanted to know what income I had got.  After all he’s an old screw.’

‘Did he forbid you to come there any more?’

’Now, mother, it’s no use your cross-examining me.  If you’ll let me alone I’ll do the best I can.’

‘She has accepted you, herself?’

‘Of course she has.  I told you that at Carbury.’

’Then, Felix, if I were you I’d run off with her.  I would indeed.  It’s done every day, and nobody thinks any harm of it when you marry the girl.  You could do it now because I know you’ve got money.  From...