the burden of his own greatness for those who were for the moment inflicted with it.  When the dance was over he was allowed to escape after the ceremony of a single glass of champagne drunk in the presence of the hostess.  Considerable skill was shown in keeping the presence of his royal guest a secret from the host himself till the Prince was gone.  Melmotte would have desired to pour out that glass of wine with his own hands, to solace his tongue by Royal Highnesses, and would probably have been troublesome and disagreeable.  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...