n his threat. In truth the greater the
confusion in the London office, the better, he thought, were the
prospects of the Company at San Francisco. Miles underwent purgatory
on this occasion for three or four hours, and when dismissed had
certainly revealed none of Melmotte's secrets. He did, however, go to
Germany, finding that a temporary absence from England would be
comfortable to him in more respects than one,--and need not be heard
of again in these pages.

When Melmotte's affairs were ultimately wound up there was found to be
nearly enough of property to satisfy all his proved liabilities. Very
many men started up with huge claims, asserting that they had been
robbed, and in the confusion it was hard to ascertain who had been
robbed, or who had simply been unsuccessful in their attempts to rob
others. Some, no doubt, as was the case with poor Mr Brehgert, had
speculated in dependence on Melmotte's sagacity, and had lost heavily
without dishonesty. But of those who, like the Longestaffes, were able
to prove direct debts, the condition at last was not very sad. Our
excellent friend Dolly got his money early in the day, and was able,
under Mr Squercum's guidance, to start himself on a new career. Having
paid his debts, and with still a large balance at his bankers, he
assured his friend Nidderdale that he meant to turn over an entirely
new leaf. 'I shall just make Squercum allow me so much a month, and I
shall have all the bills and that kind of thing sent to him, and he
will do everything, and pull me up if I'm getting wrong. I like
Squercum.'

'Won't he rob you, old fellow?' suggested Nidderdale,

'Of course he will;--but he won't let any one else do it. One has to
be plucked, but it's everything to have it done on a system. If he'll
only let me have ten shillings out of every sovereign I think I can
get along.' Let us hope that Mr Squercum was merciful, and that Dolly
was enabled to live in accordance with his virtuous resolutions.

But these things did not arrange themselves till late in the winter,--
long after Mr Fisker's departure for California. That, however, was
protracted till a day much later than he anticipated before he had
become intimate with Madame Melmotte and Marie. Madame Melmotte's
affairs occupied him for a while almost exclusively. The furniture and
plate were of course sold for the creditors, but Madame Melmotte was
allowed to take whatever she declared to be specially her own
property;--