Mr. Melmotte put up his hand and stopped him. "I'm not going to stand this kind of thing," he said. The old Marquis of Auld Reekie was close at hand, the father of Lord Nidderdale, and therefore the proposed father-in-law of Melmotte's daughter, and he poked his thumb heavily into Lord Alfred's ribs. "It is generally understood, I believe," continued Melmotte, "that the Emperor is to do me the honour of dining at my poor house on Monday. He don't dine there unless I'm made acquainted with him before he comes. I mean what I say. I ain't going to entertain even an Emperor unless I'm good enough to be presented to him. Perhaps you'd better let Mr. Wilson know, as a good many people intend to come."
"Here's a row," said the old Marquis. "I wish he'd be as good as his word."

"I'm not going to stand this kind of thing," said Melmotte. The old Marquis of Auld Reekie was close at hand, Lord Nidderdale's father; and he poked his thumb into Lord Alfred's ribs. "It is generally understood, I believe," continued Melmotte, "that the Emperor is to dine at my house on Monday. He don't dine there unless I'm made acquainted with him before he comes. I mean what I say. I ain't going to entertain even an Emperor unless I'm good enough to be presented to him."
"Here's a row," said the old Marquis.
