"It's about what I expected," said Squercum. Then the butler whispered the word to Mr. Longestaffe, and whispered it also to Mr. Bideawhile, and they all knew that the millionaire had swallowed poison during the night.
It was known to the servants that Mr. Longestaffe was the owner of the house, and he was therefore, as having authority there, shown into the room where the body of Melmotte was lying on a sofa. The two lawyers and Dolly of course followed, as did also Lord Nidderdale, who had now joined them from the lobby above. There was a policeman in the room who seemed to be simply watching the body, and who rose from his seat when the gentlemen entered. Two or three of the servants followed them, so that there was almost a crowd round the dead man's bier. There was no further tale to be told. That Melmotte had been in the House on the previous night, and had there disgraced himself by intoxication, they had known already. That he had been found dead that morning had been already announced. They could only stand round and gaze on the square, sullen, livid features of the big-framed man, and each lament that he had ever heard the name of Melmotte.

Then the butler whispered that Melmotte had swallowed poison during the night.
"It's about what I expected," said Squercum.
As the owner of the house, Mr. Longestaffe was shown into the room where Melmotte's body lay on a sofa. The two lawyers and Dolly followed, as did Lord Nidderdale, and two or three servants. A policeman who was watching the body rose from his seat when the gentlemen entered. They stood round and gazed on the sullen, livid features of the big man, and each lamented that he had ever heard the name of Melmotte.
