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Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882

"The Eustace Diamonds"

"Let me look at the
ring," she said. "Nobody could stop you if you chose to sell this to me."
"Little things are always less troublesome than big things," he said.
"What is the price?" she asked.
"It is not in the market, Lizzie. Nor should your diamonds be there. You
must be content to let them take what legal steps they may think fit, and
defend your property. After that you can do as you please; but keep them
safe till the thing is settled. If I were you I would have them at the
bankers."
"Yes; and then when I asked for them be told that they couldn't be given
up to me because of Mr. Camperdown or the Lord Chancellor. And what's the
good of a thing locked up? You wear your ring; why shouldn't I wear my
necklace?"
"I have nothing to say against it."
"It isn't that I care for such things. Do I, Julia?"
"All ladies like them, I suppose," said that stupidest and most stubborn
of all humble friends, Miss Macnulty.
"I don't like them at all, and you know I don't. I hate them. They have
been the misery of my life. Oh, how they have tormented me! Even when I am
asleep I dream about them, and think that people steal them.


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