Nidderdale leaving his chair walked up to him very gently. 'Dolly,' said he, 'do not go on in that way about Melmotte when I am in the room. I have no doubt you are mistaken, and so you'll find out in a day or two. You don't know Melmotte.'
'Mistaken!' Dolly still continued to exclaim with a loud voice. 'Am I mistaken in supposing that I haven't been paid my money?'
'I don't believe it has been owing very long.'
'Am I mistaken in supposing that my name has been forged to a letter?'
'I am sure you are mistaken if you think that Melmotte had anything to do with it.'
'Squercum says--'
'Never mind Squercum. We all know what are the suspicions of a fellow of that kind.'
'I'd believe Squercum a deuced sight sooner than Melmotte.'
'Look here, Dolly. I know more probably of Melmotte's affairs than you do or perhaps than anybody else. If it will induce you to remain quiet for a few days and to hold your tongue here,--I'll make myself responsible for the entire sum he owes you.'
'The devil you will.'
'I will indeed.'
Nidderdale was endeavouring to speak so that only Dolly should hear him, and probably nobody else did hear him; but Dolly would not lower his voice. 'That's out of the question, you know,' he said. 'How could I take your money? The truth is, Nidderdale, the man is a thief, and so you'll find out, sooner or later. He has broken open a drawer in my father's room and forged my name to a letter. Everybody knows it. Even my governor knows it now,--and Bideawhile. Before many days are over you'll find that he will be in gaol for forgery.'
This was very unpleasant, as every one knew that Nidderdale was either engaged or becoming engaged to Melmotte's daughter.
'Since you will speak about it in this public way--' began Nidderdale.
'I think it ought to be spoken about in a public way,' said Dolly.
'I deny it as publicly. I can't say anything about the letter except that I am sure Mr Melmotte did not put your name to it. From what I understand there seems to have been some blunder between your father and his lawyer.'
'That's true enough,' said Dolly; 'but it doesn't excuse Melmotte.'
'As to the money, there can be no more doubt that it will be paid than that I stand here. What is it?--twenty-five thousand, isn't it?'
'Eighty thousand, the whole.'