‘Yes,’ continued Marie, boiling over with passion as she spoke.  ’I’ll marry Lord Nidderdale, or that horrid Mr Grendall who is worse than all the others, or his old fool of a father,—­or the sweeper at the crossing,—­or the black man that waits at table, or anybody else that he chooses to pick up.  I don’t care who it is the least in the world.  But I’ll lead him such a life afterwards!  I’ll make Lord Nidderdale repent the hour he saw me!  You may tell papa.’  And then, having thus entrusted her message to Madame Melmotte, Marie left the room.

CHAPTER LXIX — MELMOTTE IN PARLIAMENT

Melmotte did not return home in time to hear the good news that day,—­ good...