"Since that time I have no doubt taken upon myself to say that that
engagement was over; and I am free to admit that I did so without any
assent or agreement on your part to that effect. Such conduct no doubt
requires a valid and strong defence. My defence is as follows:
"I learned that you were in possession of a large amount of property,
vested in diamonds, which was claimed by the executors under your late
husband's will as belonging to his estate; and as to which they declared,
in the most positive manner, that you had no right or title to it
whatever. I consulted friends and I consulted lawyers, and I was led to
the conviction that this property certainly did not belong to you. Had I
married you in these circumstances, I could not but have become a
participator in the lawsuit which I was assured would be commenced. I
could not be a participator with you, because I believed you to be in the
wrong. And I certainly could not participate with those who would in such
case be attacking my own wife.
"In this condition of things I requested you--as you must I think yourself
own, with all deference and good feeling--to give up the actual possession
of the property, and to place the diamonds in neutral hands"--Lord Fawn
was often called upon to be neutral in reference to the condition of
outlying Indian principalities--"till the law should have decided as to
their ownership.
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