The millionaire looked at him for a moment or two, just condescending to touch with his fingers the hand which Fisker had projected.
'I don't seem to remember,' he said, 'the gentleman who has done me the honour of writing to me about you.' 'I dare say not, Mr Melmotte.

When I'm at home in San Francisco, I make acquaintance with a great many gents whom I don't remember afterwards.

My partner I think told me that he went to your house with his friend, Sir Felix Carbury.' 'I know a young man called Sir Felix Carbury.' 'That's it.

I could have got any amount of introductions to you if I had thought this would not have sufficed.' Mr Melmotte bowed.

'Our account here in London is kept with the City and West End Joint Stock.
But I have only just arrived, and as my chief object in coming to London is to see you, and as I met my partner, Mr Montague, in Liverpool, I took a note from him and came on straight.' 'And what can I do for you, Mr Fisker ?' Then Mr Fisker began his account of the Great South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway, and exhibited considerable skill by telling it all in comparatively few words.