’I should say so, Mr Melmotte.  Mr Brehgert never leaves much before six.’

Then Mr Melmotte took his hat and gloves, and the stick that he usually carried, and went out with his face carefully dressed in its usually jaunty air.  But Croll as he went heard him mutter the name of Cohenlupe between his teeth.  The part which he had to act is one very difficult to any actor.  The carrying an external look of indifference when the heart is sinking within,—­or has sunk almost to the very ground,—­is more than difficult; it is an agonizing task.  In all mental suffering the sufferer longs for solitude,—­for permission to cast himself loose along the ground, so that every limb and every feature of his person may faint in sympathy with his heart...