rties.' Then he
uttered sundry threats against the Bideawhiles, in reference to whom
he declared his intention of 'making it very hot for them.'

It was an annoyance added to the elder Mr Longestaffe that the
management of Melmotte's affairs fell at last almost exclusively into
the hands of Mr Brehgert. Now Brehgert, in spite of his many dealings
with Melmotte, was an honest man, and, which was perhaps of as much
immediate consequence, both an energetic and a patient man. But then
he was the man who had wanted to marry Georgiana Longestaffe, and he
was the man to whom Mr Longestaffe had been particularly uncivil. Then
there arose necessities for the presence of Mr Brehgert in the house
in which Melmotte had lately lived and had died. The dead man's papers
were still there,--deeds, documents, and such letters as he had not
chosen to destroy;--and these could not be moved quite at once. 'Mr
Brehgert must of course have access to my private room, as long as it
is necessary,--absolutely necessary,' said Mr Longestaffe in answer
to a message which was brought to him; 'but he will of course see the
expediency of relieving me from such intrusion as soon as possible.'
But he soon found it preferable to come to terms with the rejected
suitor, especially as the man was singularly good-natured and
forbearing after the injuries he had received.

All minor debts were to be paid at once; an arrangement to which Mr
Longestaffe cordially agreed, as it included a sum of L300 due to him
for the rent of his house in Bruton Street. Then by degrees it became
known that there would certainly be a dividend of not less than fifty
per cent. payable on debts which could be proved to have been owing by
Melmotte, and perhaps of more;--an arrangement which was very
comfortable to Dolly, as it had been already agreed between all the
parties interested that the debt due to him should be satisfied before
the father took anything. Mr Longestaffe resolved during these weeks
that he remained in town that, as regarded himself and his own family,
the house in London should not only not be kept up, but that it should
be absolutely sold, with all its belongings, and that the servants at
Caversham should be reduced in number and should cease to wear powder.
All this was communicated to Lady Pomona in a very long letter, which
she was instructed to read to her daughters. 'I have suffered great
wrongs,' said Mr Longestaffe, 'but I must submit to them, and as I