"Evil things
are said of a great many people--as you know. I am sure you would not wish
to repeat slanders."
Mrs. Hittaway was not to be silenced after this fashion. "Not slanders,
certainly, Frederic. But when I hear that you intend to raise this lady to
the rank and position of your wife, then of course the truth or falsehood
of these reports becomes a matter of great moment to us all. Don't you
think you had better see Mr. Camperdown?"
"I have seen him."
"And what does he say?"
"What should he say? Lady Eustace has, I believe, made some mistake about
the condition of her property, and people who have heard it have been
good-natured enough to say that the error has been wilful. That is what I
call slander, Clara."
"And you have heard about her jewels?" Mrs. Hittaway was alluding here to
the report which had reached her as to Lizzie's debt to Harter & Benjamin
when she married Sir Florian; but Lord Fawn of course thought of the
diamond necklace.
"Yes," said he, "I have heard all about them. Who told you?"
"I have known it ever so long. Sir Florian never got over it." Lord Fawn
was again in the dark, but he did not choose to commit himself by asking
further questions.
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