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Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882

"The Eustace Diamonds"


All the sisters felt that an injury had been done to them by Lucy. It was
only on Sundays that their dinner-table was graced by the male member of
the family, and now he was driven away. "I am sorry that you are going to
desert us, Frederic," said Lady Fawn. Lord Fawn muttered something as to
absolute necessity, and went. The afternoon was very dreary at Fawn Court.
Nothing was said on the subject; but there was still the feeling that Lncy
had offended. At four o'clock on that Sunday afternoon Lord Fawn was
closeted with Lady Eustace.
The "closeting" consisted simply in the fact that Miss Macnulty was not
present. Lizzie fully appreciated the pleasure, and utility, and general
convenience of having a companion, but she had no scruple whatever in
obtaining absolute freedom for herself when she desired it. "My dear," she
would say, "the best friends in the world shouldn't always be together;
should they? Wouldn't you like to go to the Horticultural?" Then Miss
Macnulty would go to the Horticultural, or else up into her own bedroom.
When Lizzie was beginning to wax wrathful again because Frank Greystock
did not come, Lord Fawn made his appearance.


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