Lady Carbury had come down to his house in order that she might be near the Melmottes! There was something in this which he felt it difficult not to resent.

It was for no love of him that she was there.

He had felt that Henrietta ought not to have been brought to his house; but he could have forgiven that, because her presence there was a charm to him.

He could have forgiven that, even while he was thinking that her mother had brought her there with the object of disposing of her.

If it were so, the mother's object would be the same as his own, and such a manoeuvre he could pardon, though he could not approve.