When
she had suggested to Mr. Benjamin that he should buy the jewels, that
worthy tradesman had by no means jumped at the offer. Of what use to her
would be a necklace always locked up in an iron box, which box, for aught
she knew, myrmidons from Mr. Camperdown might carry off during her absence
from the house? Would it not be better to come to terms and surrender? But
then what should the terms be?
If only there had been a friend whom she could consult--a friend whom she
could consult on a really friendly footing!--not a simply respectable,
off-handed, high-minded friend, who would advise her as a matter of course
to make restitution. Her uncle the dean, or her cousin Frank, or old Lady
Fawn, would be sure to give her such advice as that. There are people who
are so very high-minded when they have to deal with the interests of their
friends! What if she were to ask Lord Fawn?
Thoughts of a second marriage had, of course, crossed Lady Eustace's mind,
and they were by no means the worst thoughts that found a place there. She
had a grand idea--this selfish, hard-fisted little woman, who could not
bring herself to abandon the plunder on which she had laid her hand--a
grand idea of surrendering herself and all her possessions to a great
passion.
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