There were strong parties
formed in the matter; whom we may call Lizzieites and Antilizzieites. The
Lizzieites were of opinion that poor Lady Eustace was being very ill-
treated--that the diamonds did probably belong to her, and that Lord Fawn,
at any rate, clearly ought to be her own. It was worthy of remark that
these Lizzieites were all of them Conservatives. Frank Greystock had
probably set the party on foot; and it was natural that political
opponents should believe that a noble young Under-Secretary of State on
the Liberal side--such as Lord Fawn--had misbehaved himself. When the
matter at last became of such importance as to demand leading articles in
the newspapers, those journals which had devoted themselves to upholding
the conservative politicians of the day were very heavy indeed upon Lord
Fawn. The whole force of the Government, however, was Antilizzieite; and
as the controversy advanced, every good Liberal became aware that there
was nothing so wicked, so rapacious, so bold, or so cunning but that Lady
Eustace might have done it, or caused it to be done, without delay,
without difficulty, and without scruple.
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