She was aware that there was some reason for such a choice hidden from the world, and which comprised and conveyed a falsehood.  A ruined baronet of five-and-twenty, every hour of whose life since he had been left to go alone had been loaded with vice and folly,—­whose egregious misconduct warranted his friends in regarding him as one incapable of knowing what principle is,—­of what service could he be, that he should be made a Director?  But Lady Carbury, though she knew that he could be of no service, was not at all shocked.  She was now able to speak up a little for her boy, and did not forget to send the news by post to Roger Carbury.  And her son sat at the same Board with Mr Melmotte!  What an indication was this of coming...