Melmotte, however, had watched the little struggle. Melmotte, whatever might be his faults, had eyes to see and ears to hear. He perceived that Montague had made a little struggle and had been cowed; and he knew how hard it is for one man to persevere against five or six, and for a young man to persevere against his elders. Nidderdale was filliping bits of paper across the table at Carbury. Miles Grendall was poring over the book which was in his charge. Lord Alfred sat back in his chair, the picture of a model director, with his right hand within his waistcoat. He looked aristocratic, respectable, and almost commercial. In that room he never by any chance opened his mouth, except when called on to say that Mr. Melmotte was right, and was considered by the chairman really to earn his money. Melmotte for a minute or two went on conversing with Cohenlupe, having perceived that Montague for the moment was cowed. Then Paul put both his hands upon the table, intending to rise and ask some perplexing question. 
Melmotte, however, had watched him. He perceived that Montague had made a little struggle and had been cowed; and he knew how hard it is for one man to persevere against five or six. Nidderdale was filliping bits of paper across the table at Carbury. The other men were unconcerned, so Melmotte went on talking to Cohenlupe.
Then Paul put both his hands upon the table, intending to rise and ask some perplexing question. 