On that same day Melmotte received two visits in the city from two of his fellow directors. At the time he was very busy. Though his electioneering speeches were neither long nor pithy, still he had to think of them beforehand. Members of his Committee were always trying to see him. Orders as to the dinner and the preparation of the house could not be given by Lord Alfred without some reference to him. And then those gigantic commercial affairs which were enumerated in the last chapter could not be adjusted without much labour on his part. His hands were not empty, but still he saw each of these young men,--for a few minutes. "My dear young friend, what can I do for you?" he said to Sir Felix, not sitting down, so that Sir Felix also should remain standing.
"About that money, Mr. Melmotte?"

On that same day Melmotte received visits from two of his fellow directors. At the time he was very busy. He had speeches to write. Members of his Committee were always trying to see him. Orders as to the dinner and the preparation of the house had to be given. And then his gigantic commercial affairs required much labour on his part.
Still he saw each of these young men for a few minutes. "My dear young friend, what can I do for you?" he said to Sir Felix, not sitting down, so that Sir Felix also should remain standing.
"About that money, Mr. Melmotte?"
