r
words of explanation. "Dear Lizzie--" he began.

"I will not be addressed, sir, in that way by a man who is treating
me as you are doing," she said.

"But I want you to understand me."

"Understand you! You understand nothing yourself that a man ought to
understand. I wonder that you have the courage to be so insolent. If
you knew what you were doing, you would not have the spirit to do
it."

Her words did not quite come home to him, and much of her scorn was
lost upon him. He was now chiefly anxious to explain to her that
though he must abide by the threat he had made, he was quite willing
to go on with his engagement if she would oblige him in the matter of
the diamonds. "It was necessary that I should explain to you that I
could not allow that necklace to be brought into my house."

"No one thought of taking it to your house."

"What were you to do with it, then?"

"Keep it in my own," said Lizzie stoutly. They were still walking
together, and were now altogether out of sight of the house. Lizzie
in her excitement had forgotten church, had forgotten the Fawn
women,--had forgotten everything except the battle which it was
necessary that she should fight for herself. She did not mean to
allow the marriage to be broken off,--but she meant to retain
the necklace. The manner in which Lord Fawn had demanded its
restitution,--in which there had been none of that mock tenderness by
which she might have permitted herself to be persuaded,--had made
her, at any rate for the moment, as firm as steel on this point. It
was inconceivable to her that he should think himself at liberty to
go back from his promise, because she would not render up property
which was in her possession, and which no one could prove not to be
legally her own! She walked on full of fierce courage,--despising
him, but determined that she would marry him.

"I am afraid we do not understand each other," he said at last.

"Certainly I do not understand you, sir."

"Will you allow my mother to speak to you on the subject?"

"No. If I told your mother to give up her diamonds, what would she
say?"

"But they are not yours, Lady Eustace, unless you will submit that
question to an arbitrator."

"I will submit nothing to anybody. You have no right to speak on such
a subject till after we are married."

"I must have it settled first, Lady Eustace."

"Then, Lord Fawn, you won't have it settled first. Or rather it is
settled already. I shall keep