Among the vulgar, loud upstarts whom he had known, Melmotte was the vulgarest, the loudest, and the most arrogant. But he had taken the business of Melmotte's election in hand, and considered himself bound to stand by Melmotte till that was over; and he was now the guest of the man in his own house, and was therefore constrained to courtesy. His wife was sitting by him, and he at once introduced her to Mr. Melmotte. "You have a wonderful assemblage here, Mr. Melmotte," said the lady, looking up at the royal table.
"Yes, ma'am, yes. His Majesty the Emperor has been pleased to intimate that he has been much gratified."--Had the Emperor in truth said so, no one who looked at him could have believed his imperial word.--"Can you tell me, Mr. Beauclerk, why those other gentlemen are not here? It looks very odd; does it not?"
"Ah; you mean Killegrew."

, thinking him a loud and vulgar upstart. But he had taken the business of Melmotte's election in hand, and considered himself bound to stand by Melmotte till that was over; and he was now the man's guest, and was constrained to courtesy. His wife was sitting by him, and he introduced her to Mr. Melmotte.
"You have a wonderful assemblage here, Mr. Melmotte," said the lady.
"Yes, ma'am, yes. His Majesty the Emperor has said that he has been much gratified. - Can you tell me, Mr. Beauclerk, why those other gentlemen are not here? It looks very odd; does it not?"
"Ah; you mean Killegrew."
