"I suppose old Melmotte is all right?" asked Nidderdale. This was a question which Montague found it difficult to answer. How could he be justified in whispering suspicions to the man who was known to be at any rate one of the competitors for Marie Melmotte's hand? "You can speak out to me, you know," said Nidderdale, nodding his head.
"I've got nothing to speak. People say that he is about the richest man alive."
"He lives as though he were."

"I suppose old Melmotte is all right?"
This was a question which Paul found it difficult to answer. How could he whisper suspicions to the man who was a competitor for Marie Melmotte's hand?
"You can speak out to me, you know," said Nidderdale.
"I've got nothing to speak. People say that he is the richest man alive. 