I talk to them grandly, and look
big, as though money was the last thing I thought of, when I am longing to
touch my hat and ask them as a great favour to settle my little bill." All
this time Lizzie was full of matter which she must impart to her cousin,
and could impart to him only in privacy.
It was absolutely necessary that she should tell him what she had heard of
Patience Crabstick. In her heart of hearts she wished that Patience
Crabstick had gone off safely with her plunder to the Antipodes. She had
no wish to get back what had been lost, either in the matter of the
diamonds or of the smaller things taken. She had sincerely wished that the
police might fail in all their endeavours, and that the thieves might
enjoy perfect security with their booty. She did not even begrudge Mr.
Benjamin the diamonds--or Lord George, if in truth Lord George had been
the last thief. The robbery had enabled her to get the better of Mr.
Camperdown, and apparently of Lord Fawn; and had freed her from the
custody of property which she had learned to hate. It had been a very good
robbery. But now these wretched police had found Patience Crabstick and
would disturb her again!
Of course she must tell her cousin.
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