"I am
disposed, after much consideration, to advise you to take no notice of the
letter," said Mr. Hittaway, giving his counsel in accordance with
instructions received from his wife. Lord Fawn still buried his face. "Of
course the thing is painful, very painful. But out of two evils one should
choose the least. The writer of this letter is altogether unable to carry
out his threat."
"What can the man do to him!" Mrs. Hittaway had asked, almost snapping at
her husband as she did so.
"And then," continued Mr. Hittaway, "we all know that public opinion is
with you altogether. The conduct of Lady Eustace is notorious."
"Everybody is taking her part," said Lord Fawn, almost crying.
"Surely not."
"Yes; they are. The bill in Chancery has been withdrawn, and it's my
belief that if the necklace were found to-morrow, there would be nothing
to prevent her keeping it, just as she did before."
"But it was an heirloom?"
"No, it wasn't. The lawyers were all wrong about it. As far as I can see,
lawyers always are wrong. About those nine lacs of rupees for the sawab,
Finlay was all wrong. Camperdown owns that he was wrong.
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