She had been with her
diamonds that morning, and had had them out of the box and into it. Few
days passed on which she did not handle them and gaze at them. Mrs.
Carbuncle had suggested that the box, with all her diamonds in it, might
be stolen from her, and as she thought of this her heart almost sank
within her. When she had them once again in London she would take some
steps to relieve herself from this embarrassment of carrying about with
her so great a burden of care. The man, with a vehement show of exertion,
deposited the box on a chair, and then groaned aloud. Lizzie knew very
well that she could lift the box by her own unaided exertions, and the
groan was at any rate unnecessary.
"Supposing somebody were to steal that on the way," said Lord George to
her, not in his pleasantest tone.
"Do not suggest anything so horrible," said Lizzie, trying to laugh.
"I shouldn't like it at all," said Lord George.
"I don't think it would make me a bit unhappy. You've heard about it all.
There never was such a persecution. I often say that I should be well
pleased to take the bauble and fling it into the ocean waves."
"I should like to be a mermaid and catch it," said Lord George.
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