He had told Lizzie, with much exactness, what he would put into it. He
would again offer his hand--acknowledging himself bound to do so by his
former offer--but would give reasons why she should not accept it. If
anything should occur in the mean time which would in his opinion justify
him in again repudiating her, he would of course take advantage of such
circumstance. If asked, himself, what was his prevailing motive in all
that he did or intended to do, he would have declared that it was above
all things necessary that he should "put himself right in the eye of the
British public."
But he was not able to do this without interference from the judgment of
others. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hittaway interfered; and he could not prevent
himself from listening to them and believing them, though he would
contradict all they said, and snub all their theories. Frank Greystock
also continued to interfere, and Lady Glencora Palliser. Even John Eustace
had been worked upon to write to Lord Fawn, stating his opinion as trustee
for his late brother's property, that the Eustace family did not think
that there was ground of complaint against Lady Eustace in reference to
the diamonds which had been stolen.
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