As he was sitting at his solitary dinner this evening,--for both his wife and daughter had declined to join him, saying that they had dined early,--news was brought to him that he had been elected for Westminster. He had beaten Mr. Alf by something not much less than a thousand votes.

As Melmotte was sitting at his solitary dinner this evening - for both his wife and daughter had dined early - news was brought to him that he had been elected for Westminster. He had beaten Mr. Alf by almost a thousand votes.
