"That's a remarkable thing," said Melmotte,--"very remarkable." Even this poor priest's mad visit added to his inflation. "I suppose he was in earnest."
"Mad as a hatter," said Lord Alfred.
"But why did he come to me in his madness--to me especially? That's what I want to know. I'll tell you what it is. There isn't a man in all England at this moment thought of so much as--your humble servant. I wonder whether the 'Morning Pulpit' people sent him here now to find out really what is my religion."
"Mad as a hatter," said Lord Alfred again;--"just that and no more."

"Remarkable," said Melmotte.
"Mad as a hatter," said Lord Alfred.
"But why did he come to me in his madness? I'll tell you what it is. There isn't a man in all England at this moment thought of so much as I am. I wonder whether the Morning Pulpit people sent him here to find out my real religion."
"Mad as a hatter," said Lord Alfred again; "just that and no more."
