its effect on Frank Greystock.
It is hardly expected of a woman in such a condition, with so many
troubles on her mind, who had been so persecuted, that every word
uttered by her should be strictly true. Lizzie, with her fresh
nightcap, and her laced handkerchief, pale, and with her eyes just
glittering with tears, was very pretty. "Didn't somebody once give
some one a garment which scorched him up when he wore it,--some woman
who sent it because she loved the man so much?"

"The shirt, you mean, which Dejanira sent to Hercules. Yes;--Hercules
was a good deal scorched."

"And that necklace, which my husband gave me because he loved me so
well, has scorched me horribly. It has nearly killed me. It has been
like the white elephant which the Eastern king gives to his subject
when he means to ruin him. Only poor Florian didn't mean to hurt me.
He gave it all in love. If these people bring a lawsuit against me,
Frank, you must manage it for me."

"There will be no lawsuit. Your brother-in-law will stop it."

"I wonder who will really get the diamonds after all, Frank? They
were very valuable. Only think that the ten thousand pounds should
disappear in such a way!" The subject was a very dangerous one, but
there was a fascination about it which made it impossible for her to
refrain from it.

"A dishonest dealer in diamonds will probably realise the
plunder,--after some years. There would be something very alluring
in the theft of articles of great value, were it not that, when got,
they at once become almost valueless by the difficulty of dealing
with them. Supposing I had the necklace!"

"I wish you had, Frank."

"I could do nothing with it. Ten sovereigns would go further with
me,--or ten shillings. The burthen of possessing it would in itself
be almost more than I could bear. The knowledge that I had the thing,
and might be discovered in having it, would drive me mad. By my own
weakness I should be compelled to tell my secret to some one. And
then I should never sleep for fear my partner in the matter should
turn against me." How well she understood it all! How probable it
was that Lord George should turn against her! How exact was Frank's
description of that burthen of a secret so heavy that it cannot be
borne alone! "A little reflection," continued Frank, "soon convinces
a man that rough downright stealing is an awkward, foolish trade; and
it therefore falls into the hands of those who want education for
the hi