Goesler's little drawing-room
in Park Lane; but, three days after this, the same two ladies
met again at the house then occupied by Lady Chiltern in Portman
Square,--Lady Chiltern, with whom, as Violet Effingham, poor Lord
Fawn had been much in love. "I think it is the nicest match in the
world for him," Lady Chiltern had said to Madame Goesler.

"But have you heard of the diamonds?" asked Lady Glencora.

"What diamonds?" "Whose diamonds?" Neither of the others had heard
of the diamonds, and Lady Glencora was able to tell her story. Lady
Eustace had found all the family jewels belonging to the Eustace
family in the strong plate room at Portray Castle, and had taken
possession of them as property found in her own house. John Eustace
and the bishop had combined in demanding them on behalf of the
heir, and a lawsuit had then commenced! The diamonds were the most
costly belonging to any Commoner in England, and had been valued
at twenty-four thousand pounds! Lord Fawn had retreated from his
engagement the moment he heard that any doubt was thrown on Lady
Eustace's right to their possession! Lady Eustace had declared her
intention of bringing an action against Lord Fawn,--and had also
secreted the diamonds! The reader will be aware that this statement
was by no means an accurate history of the difficulty as far as it
had as yet progressed. It was, indeed, absolutely false in every
detail; but it sufficed to show that the matter was becoming public.
"You don't mean to say that Lord Fawn is off?" asked Madame Goesler.

"I do," said Lady Glencora.

"Poor Lord Fawn!" exclaimed Lady Chiltern. "It really seems as though
he never would be settled."

"I don't think he has courage enough for such conduct as that," said
Madame Goesler.

"And besides, Lady Eustace's income is quite certain," said Lady
Chiltern, "and poor dear Lord Fawn does want money so badly."

"But it is very disagreeable," said Lady Glencora, "to believe that
your wife has got the finest diamonds in England, and then to find
that she has only--stolen them. I think Lord Fawn is right. If a man
does marry for money he should have the money. I wonder she ever took
him. There is no doubt about her beauty, and she might have done
better."

"I won't hear Lord Fawn be-littled," said Lady Chiltern.

"Done better!" said Madame Goesler. "How could she have done better?
He is a peer, and her son would be a peer. I don't think she could
have done better." Lady Gle