I will do so in defiance of Mr. Camperdown and Lord Fawn. I
think, Frank, that no woman was ever so ill-treated as I am."
He himself thought that she was ill-treated. She had so pleaded her case,
and had been so lovely in her tears and her indignation, that he began to
feel something like true sympathy for her cause. What right had he, or had
Mr. Camperdown, or any one, to say that the jewels did not belong to her?
And if her claim to them was just, why should she be persuaded to give up
the possession of them? He knew well that were she to surrender them with
the idea that they should be restored to her if her claim were found to be
just, she would not get them back very soon. If once the jewels were safe,
locked up in Mr. Garnett's strong box, Mr. Camperdown would not care how
long it might be before a jury or a judge should have decided on the case.
The burden of proof would then be thrown upon Lady Eustace. In order that
she might recover her own property she would have to thrust herself
forward as a witness, and appear before the world a claimant, greedy for
rich ornaments. Why should he advise her to give them up? "I am only
thinking," said he, "what may be the best for your own peace.
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