Parliament with means so
moderate as yours; and they who do perhaps have stricter ideas of
economy." The dean did not say a word about Lucy Morris, and dealt
entirely with generalities.

In compliance with her son's advice,--or almost command,--Mrs.
Greystock did not answer Lady Linlithgow's letter. He was going back
to London, and would give personally, or by letter written there,
what answer might be necessary. "You will then see Miss Morris?"
asked his mother.

"I shall certainly see Lucy. Something must be settled." There was
a tone in his voice as he said this which gave some comfort to his
mother.

CHAPTER XXXVI

Lizzie's Guests

True to their words, at the end of October, Mrs. Carbuncle and Miss
Roanoke, and Lord George de Bruce Carruthers, and Sir Griffin Tewett,
arrived at Portray Castle. And for a couple of days there was a
visitor whom Lizzie was very glad to welcome, but of whose good
nature on the occasion Mr. Camperdown thought very ill indeed. This
was John Eustace. His sister-in-law wrote to him in very pressing
language; and as,--so he said to Mr. Camperdown,--he did not wish
to seem to quarrel with his brother's widow as long as such seeming
might be avoided, he accepted the invitation. If there was to be a
lawsuit about the diamonds, that must be Mr. Camperdown's affair.
Lizzie had never entertained her friends in style before. She had
had a few people to dine with her in London, and once or twice
had received company on an evening. But in all her London doings
there had been the trepidation of fear,--to be accounted for by
her youth and widowhood; and it was at Portray,--her own house at
Portray,--that it would best become her to exercise hospitality. She
had bided her time even there, but now she meant to show her friends
that she had got a house of her own.

She wrote even to her husband's uncle, the bishop, asking him down
to Portray. He could not come, but sent an affectionate answer, and
thanked her for thinking of him. Many people she asked who, she
felt sure, would not come,--and one or two of them accepted her
invitation. John Eustace promised to be with her for two days. When
Frank had left her, going out of her presence in the manner that has
been described, she actually wrote to him, begging him to join her
party. This was her note:

"Come to me, just for a week," she said, "when my people are here, so
that I may not seem to be deserted. Sit at the bottom of my table,
a