Madame Melmotte had now thrown herself into a chair and was sighing. Sir Felix stood on the rug with his arm round Marie's waist listening to her protestations, but saying little in answer to them,--when, suddenly, a heavy step was heard ascending the stairs. 'C'est lui,' screamed Madame Melmotte, bustling up from her seat and hurrying out of the room by a side door. The two lovers were alone for one moment, during which Marie lifted up her face, and Sir Felix kissed her lips. 'Now be brave,' she said, escaping from his arm, 'and I'll be brave.' Mr Melmotte looked round the room as he entered. 'Where are the others?' he asked.
'Mamma has gone away, and Miss Longestaffe went before mamma.'
'Sir Felix, it is well that I should tell you that my daughter is engaged to marry Lord Nidderdale.'
'Sir Felix, I am not engaged--to--marry Lord Nidderdale,' said Marie. 'It's no good, papa. I won't do it. If you chop me to pieces, I won't do it.'
'She will marry Lord Nidderdale,' continued Mr Melmotte, addressing himself to Sir Felix. 'As that is arranged, you will perhaps think it better to leave us. I shall be happy to renew my acquaintance with you as soon as the fact is recognized;--or happy to see you in the city at any time.'
'Papa, he is my lover,' said Marie.
'Pooh!'
'It is not pooh. He is. I will never have any other. I hate Lord Nidderdale; and as for that dreadful old man, I could not bear to look at him. Sir Felix is as good a gentleman as he is. If you loved me, papa, you would not want to make me unhappy all my life.'
Her father walked up to her rapidly with his hand raised, and she clung only the closer to her lover's arm. At this moment Sir Felix did not know what he might best do, but he thoroughly wished himself out in the square. 'Jade,' said Melmotte, 'get to your room.'
'Of course I will go to bed, if you tell me, papa.'
'I do tell you. How dare you take hold of him in that way before me! Have you no idea of disgrace?'
'I am not disgraced. It is not more disgraceful to love him than that other man. Oh, papa, don't. You hurt me. I am going.' He took her by the arm and dragged her to the door, and then thrust her out.
'I am very sorry, Mr Melmotte,' said Sir Felix, 'to have had a hand in causing this disturbance.'