is face. "My cousin, Lady Eustace," continued
Frank, "must not be kept in this suspense. I agree on her behalf that
her title to these trinkets must be made the subject of inquiry by
persons adequate to form a judgment. Of course, I, as her relative,
shall take no part in that inquiry. But, as her relative, I must
demand from you an admission that your engagement with her cannot in
any way be allowed to depend on the fate of those jewels. She has
chosen to accept you as her future husband, and I am bound to see
that she is treated with good faith, honour, and fair observance."

Frank made his demand very well, while Lord Fawn was looking like a
whipped dog. "Of course," said his lordship, "all I want is, that the
right thing should be done."

"The right thing will be done. My cousin wishes to keep nothing that
is not her own. I may tell her, then, that she will receive from you
an assurance that you have had no intention of departing from your
word?" After this, Lord Fawn made some attempt at a stipulation that
this assurance to Lizzie was to be founded on the counter-assurance
given to him that the matter of the diamonds should be decided by
proper legal authority; but Frank would not submit to this, and at
last the Under-Secretary yielded. The engagement was to remain in
force. Counsel were to be employed. The two lovers were not to see
each other just at present. And when the matter had been decided by
the lawyers, Lord Fawn was to express his regret for having suspected
his lady-love! That was the verbal agreement, according to Frank
Greystock's view of it. Lord Fawn, no doubt, would have declared that
he had never consented to the latter stipulation.

About a week after this there was a meeting at Mr. Camperdown's
chambers. Greystock, as his cousin's friend, attended to hear what
Mr. Camperdown had to say in the presence of Lord Fawn and John
Eustace. He, Frank, had, in the meantime, been down to Richmond, had
taken Lucy to his arms as his future bride, and had been closeted
with Lady Fawn. As a man who was doing his duty by Lucy Morris,
he was welcomed and made much of by her ladyship; but it had been
impossible to leave Lizzie's name altogether unmentioned, and Frank
had spoken as the champion of his cousin. Of course there had arisen
something of ill-feeling between the two. Lady Fawn had taught
herself to hate Lizzie, and was desirous that the match should be
over, diamonds or no diamonds. She could not quit