nishment, as do the present usages of society from other
consequences."

"I have behaved to her with every possible consideration," said Lord
Fawn.

"That is a simple assertion," said the other. "I have made one
assertion, and you have made another. The world will have to judge
between us. What right have you to take upon yourself to decide
whether this thing or that belongs to Lady Eustace or to any one
else?"

"When the thing was talked about I was obliged to have an opinion,"
said Lord Fawn, who was still thinking of words in which to reply to
the insult offered him by Greystock without injury to his dignity as
an Under-Secretary of State.

"Your conduct, sir, has been altogether inexcusable." Then Frank
turned to the attorney. "I have been given to understand that you are
desirous of knowing where this diamond necklace is at present. It is
at Lady Eustace's house in Scotland;--at Portray Castle." Then he
shook hands with John Eustace, bowed to Mr. Camperdown, and succeeded
in leaving the room before Lord Fawn had so far collected his senses
as to be able to frame his anger into definite words.

"I will never willingly speak to that man again," said Lord Fawn.
But as it was not probable that Greystock would greatly desire any
further conversation with Lord Fawn, this threat did not carry with
it any powerful feeling of severity.

Mr. Camperdown groaned over the matter with thorough vexation of
spirit. It seemed to him as though the harpy, as he called her, would
really make good her case against him,--at any rate, would make it
seem to be good for so long a time that all the triumph of success
would be hers. He knew that she was already in debt, and gave her
credit for a propensity to fast living which almost did her an
injustice. Of course, the jewels would be sold for half their value,
and the harpy would triumph. Of what use to him or to the estate
would be a decision of the courts in his favour when the diamonds
should have been broken up and scattered to the winds of heaven? Ten
thousand pounds! It was, to Mr. Camperdown's mind, a thing quite
terrible that, in a country which boasts of its laws and of the
execution of its laws, such an impostor as was this widow should be
able to lay her dirty, grasping fingers on so great an amount of
property, and that there should be no means of punishing her. That
Lizzie Eustace had stolen the diamonds, as a pickpocket steals a
watch, was a fact as to which Mr. Camp