Melmotte’s nostrils, and therefore his breath was taken for money.  Pickering was his, and before a week was over a London builder had collected masons and carpenters by the dozen down at Chichester, and was at work upon the house to make it fit to be a residence for Madame Melmotte.  There were rumours that it was to be made ready for the Goodwood week, and that the Melmotte entertainment during that festival would rival the duke’s.

But there was still much to be done in London before the Goodwood week should come round, in all of which Mr Melmotte was concerned, and of much of which Mr Melmotte was the very centre.  A member for Westminster had succeeded to a peerage, and thus a seat was vacated.  It was considered to be indispensable to the country that Mr Melmotte...