" So saying she made her way very gracefully into the back
drawing-room, whence she could escape to her bedroom.
But her aunt fired a last shot at her. "Unless you do as you're bid,
Lizzie, you'll find yourself in prison as sure as eggs." Then, when her
niece was beyond hearing, she turned to Miss Macnulty. "I suppose you've
heard about these diamonds, Macnulty?"
"I know she's got them, Lady Linlithgow."
"She has no more right to them than you have. I suppose you're afraid to
tell her so, lest she should turn you out; but it's well she should know
it. I've done my duty. Never mind about the servant. I'll find my way out
of the house." Nevertheless the bell was rung, and the countess was shown
to her carriage with proper consideration.
The two ladies went to the opera, and it was not till after their return,
and just as they were going to bed, that anything further was said about
either the necklace or the visit. Miss Macnulty would not begin the
subject, and Lizzie purposely postponed it. But not for a moment had it
been off Lady Eustace's mind. She did not care much for music, though she
professed to do so, and thought that she did.
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