Had Melmotte been altogether a prudent man he would probably have been satisfied with getting back his daughter and would have allowed the money to go without further trouble. At this especial point in his career ready money was very valuable to him, but his concerns were of such magnitude that 250 could make but little difference. But there had grown upon the man during the last few months an arrogance, a self-confidence inspired in him by the worship of other men, which clouded his intellect, and robbed him of much of that power of calculation which undoubtedly he naturally possessed. He remembered perfectly his various little transactions with Sir Felix. Indeed it was one of his gifts to remember with accuracy all money transactions, whether great or small, and to keep an account book in his head, which was always totted up and balanced with accuracy. He knew exactly how he stood, even with the crossing-sweeper to whom he had given a penny last Tuesday, as with the Longestaffes, father and son, to whom he had not as yet made any payment on behalf of the purchase of Pickering. But Sir Felix's money had been consigned into his hands for the purchase of shares,--and that consignment did not justify Sir Felix in taking another sum of money from his daughter. In such a matter he thought that an English magistrate, and an English jury, would all be on his side,--especially as he was Augustus Melmotte, the man about to be chosen for Westminster, the man about to entertain the Emperor of China!
The next day was Friday,--the day of the Railway Board. Early in the morning he sent a note to Lord Nidderdale.

Had Melmotte been prudent he would have allowed the money to go without further trouble. Although at this point ready money was very valuable to him, his concerns were of such magnitude that 250 could make little difference. But during the last few months there had grown in him an arrogance, a self-confidence inspired by the worship of other men, which clouded his intellect.
He remembered perfectly his various little transactions with Sir Felix. Indeed it was one of his gifts to remember accurately all money transactions. But Sir Felix's money had been handed to him for the purchase of shares, and did not justify Sir Felix in taking money from his daughter. He thought that an English magistrate would be on his side - especially as he was Augustus Melmotte, the man about to be chosen for Westminster, the man about to entertain the Emperor of China!
The next day was Friday, and he sent a note to Lord Nidderdale asking him to come to the Railway Board. 