She could not quite say this to her visitor, but
she showed her feeling very plainly. Frank was courteous, cold, and
resolute in presuming, or pretending to presume, that as a matter of
course the marriage would take place. Lady Fawn intended to be civil, but
she could not restrain her feeling; and though she did not dare to say
that her son would have nothing more to do with Lizzie Eustace, she showed
very plainly that she intended to work with that object. Of course the two
did not part as cordial friends, and of course poor Lucy perceived that it
was so. Before the meeting took place, Mr. Camperdown had been at work
looking over old deeds. It is undoubtedly the case that things often
become complicated which, from the greatness of their importance, should
have been kept clear as running water. The diamonds in question had been
bought, with other jewels, by Sir Florian's grandfather, on the occasion
of his marriage with the daughter of a certain duke, on which occasion old
family jewels, which were said to have been heirlooms, were sold or given
in exchange as part value for those then purchased. This grandfather, who
had also been Sir Florian in his time, had expressly stated in his will
that these jewels were to be regarded as an heirloom in the family, and
had as such left them to his eldest son, and to that son's eldest son,
should such a child be born.
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