They had long known each other, and had been thrown into closer intimacy by the marriage between Sir Florian and Lizzie.

John Eustace had never been fond of Lizzie, and now, in truth, liked her less than ever; but he did like Lizzie's cousin, and felt that possibly Frank might be of use to him in the growing difficulty of managing the heir's property and looking after the heir's interests.
"You've let the widow slip through your fingers," he said to Frank, as they sat together at the table.
"I told you Lord Fawn was to be the lucky man," said Frank.
"I know you did.

I hadn't seen it.

I can only say I wish it had been the other way." "Why so?
Fawn isn't a bad fellow." "No;--not exactly a bad fellow.

He isn't, you know, what I call a good fellow.