Pray tell the dear
bishop and dear Margaretta all this, with my love. You will be happy, I
know, to hear that my little Flo is quite well. He is already so fond of
his new papa!" [Lizzie's turn for lying was exemplified in this last
statement, for, as it happened, Lord Fawn had never yet seen the child.]
"Believe me to be always
"Your most affectionate niece,
"ELI. EUSTACE."
There were two other letters--one to her uncle, the dean, and the other to
her cousin Frank. There was great doubt in her mind as to the expediency
of writing to Frank Greystock; but at last she decided that she would do
it. The letter to the dean need not be given in full, as it was very
similar to that written to the bishop's wife. The same mention was made of
her intended husband's peerage, and the same allusion to Her Majesty's
Government--a phrase which she had heard from Lord Fawn himself. She spoke
of the Irish property, but in terms less glowing than she had used in
writing to the lady, and ended by asking for her uncle's congratulation--
and blessing. Her letter to Frank was as follows, and, doubtless, as she
wrote it, there was present to her mind a remembrance of the fact that he
himself might have offered to her, and have had her if he would:
"MY DEAR COUSIN: As I would rather that you should hear my news from
myself than from any one else, I write to tell you that I am going to be
married to Lord Fawn.
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