Miles Grendall had understood all this and had managed the affair very well.

'Bless my soul;--his Royal Highness come and gone!' exclaimed Melmotte.

'You and my father were so fast at your whist that it was impossible to get you away,' said Miles.

Melmotte was not a fool, and understood it all; -- understood not only that it had been thought better that he should not speak to the Prince, but also that it might be better that it should be so.

He could not have everything at once.