There was an office just behind the Exchange, with two or three clerks and a secretary, the latter position being held by Miles Grendall, Esq.

Paul, who had a conscience in the matter and was keenly alive to the fact that he was not only a director but was also one of the firm of Fisker, Montague, and Montague which was responsible for the whole affair, was grievously anxious to be really at work, and would attend most inopportunely at the Company's offices.
Fisker, who still lingered in London, did his best to put a stop to this folly, and on more than one occasion somewhat snubbed his partner.

'My dear fellow, what's the use of your flurrying yourself?
In a thing of this kind, when it has once been set agoing, there is nothing else to do.

You may have to work your fingers off before you can make it move, and then fail.

But all that has been done for you.
If you go there on the Thursdays that's quite as much as you need do.
You don't suppose that such a man as Melmotte would put up with any real interference.' Paul endeavoured to assert himself, declaring that as one of the managers he meant to take a part in the management;--that his fortune, such as it was, had been embarked in the matter, and was as important to him as was Mr Melmotte's fortune to Mr Melmotte.