For Lucy, though to herself she
would call him a traitor, and would think him to be a traitor, still
regarded him as the best of mankind; as one who, in marrying such a one as
Lizzie Eustace, would destroy all his excellence, as a man might mar his
strength and beauty by falling into a pit. For Lizzie Eustace Lucy Morris
had now no forgiveness. Lucy had almost forgotten Lizzie's lies, and her
preferred bribe, and all her meanness, when she made that visit to
Hertford Street. Then when Lizzie claimed this man as her lover, a full
remembrance of all the woman's iniquities came back on Lucy's mind. The
statement that Lizzie then made Lucy did believe. She did think that
Frank, her Frank, the man whom she worshipped, was to take this harpy to
his bosom as his wife; and if it were to be so, was it not better that she
should be so told? But from that moment poor Lizzie's sins were ranker to
Lucy Morris than even to Mr. Camperdown or Mrs. Hittaway. She could not
refrain from saying a word even to old Lady Linlithgow. The countess had
called her niece a little liar.
"Liar!" said Lucy, "I do not think Satan himself can lie as she does.
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