Goesler's little drawing-room in Park
Lane; but, three days after this, the same two ladies met again at the
house then occupied by Lady Chiltern in Portman Square--Lady Chiltern,
with whom, as Violet Effingham, poor Lord Fawn had been much in love. "I
think it the nicest match in the world for him," Lady Chiltern had said to
Mme. Goesler.
"But have you heard of the diamonds?" asked Lady Glencora.
"What diamonds?" "Whose diamonds?" Neither of the others had heard of the
diamonds, and Lady Glencora was able to tell her story. Lady Eustace had
found all the family jewels belonging to the Eustace family in the strong
plate-room at Portray Castle, and had taken possession of them as property
found in her own house. John Eustace and the bishop had combined in
demanding them on behalf of the heir, and a lawsuit had been commenced!
The diamonds were the most costly belonging to any commoner in England,
and had been valued at twenty-four thousand pounds! Lord Fawn had
retreated from his engagement the moment he heard that any doubt was
thrown on Lady Eustace's right to their possession! Lady Eustace had
declared her intention of bringing an action against Lord Fawn, and had
also secreted the diamonds! The reader will be aware that this statement
was by no means an accurate history of the difficulty as far as it had as
yet progressed.
Pages:
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270