When he left the Longestaffes and Mr Bideawhile he went at once to his wife’s room.  ‘Is she here?’ he asked.

‘I will send for her.  I have told her.’

‘You haven’t frightened her?’

’Why should I frighten her?  It is not very easy to frighten her, Melmotte.  She is changed since these young men have been so much about her.’

’I shall frighten her if she does not do as I bid her.  Bid her come now.’  This was said in French.  Then Madame Melmotte left the room, and Melmotte arranged a lot of papers in order upon a table.  Having done so, he called to Croll, who was standing on the landing-place, and told him to seat himself in the back drawing-room till he...