" Mrs. Carbuncle laughed. Lizzie protested that this was absurd.
Lucinda declared that such a suspicion would be vastly amusing. "It's a
fact," continued Lord George. "I can see it in the fellow's eye, and I
feel it to be a compliment. They are so very 'cute that they delight in
suspicions. I remember when the altar-plate was stolen from Barchester
cathedral some years ago, a splendid idea occurred to one of the police
that the bishop had taken it."
"Really?" asked Lizzie.
"Oh, yes--really. I don't doubt but that there is already a belief in some
of their minds that you have stolen your own diamonds for the sake of
getting the better of Mr. Camperdown."
"But what could I do with them if I had?" asked Lizzie.
"Sell them, of course. There is always a market for such goods."
"But who would buy them?"
"If you have been so clever, Lady Eustace, I'll find a purchaser for them.
One would have to go a good distance to do it--and there would be some
expense. But the thing could be done. Vienna, I should think, would be
about the place."
"Very well, then," said Lizzie. "You won't be surprised if I ask you to
take the journey for me.
Pages:
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696