Melmotte dined at home that evening with no company but that of his wife and daughter.  Latterly one of the Grendalls had almost always joined their party when they did not dine out.  Indeed, it was an understood thing, that Miles Grendall should dine there always, unless he explained his absence by some engagement,—­so that his presence there had come to be considered as a part of his duty.  Not infrequently ‘Alfred’ and Miles would both come, as Melmotte’s dinners and wines were good, and occasionally the father would take the son’s place,—­but on this day they were both absent.  Madame Melmotte had not as yet said a word to any one indicating her own apprehension of any evil.  But not a person had called to-day, the day after the great...