"
"On what plea, then, have you dared to take upon yourself to put an end to
an engagement which was made at your own pressing request--which was, of
course, made at your own request On what ground do you justify such
conduct? You are a Liberal, Lord Fawn; and everybody regards the Duke of
Omnium as the head of the Liberal nobility in England. He is my friend,
and I shall put the matter into his hands." It was probably from her
cousin Frank that Lizzie had learned that Lord Fawn was more afraid of the
leaders of his own party than of any other tribunal upon earth--or perhaps
elsewhere.
Lord Fawn felt the absurdity of the threat, and yet it had effect upon
him. He knew that the Duke of Omnium was a worn-out old debauchee, with
one foot in the grave, who was looked after by two or three women who were
anxious only that he should not disgrace himself by some absurdity before
he died. Nevertheless the Duke of Omnium, or the duke name, was a power in
the nation. Lady Glencora was certainly very powerful, and Lady Glencora's
husband was Chancellor of the Exchequer. He did not suppose that the duke
cared in the least whether Lizzie Eustace was or was not married; but Lady
Glencora had certainly interested herself about Lizzie, and might make
London almost too hot to hold him if she chose to go about everywhere
saying that he ought to marry the lady.
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