He might marry her, and insist on giving it up afterwards; but he foresaw terrible difficulties in the way of such an arrangement.

Lady Eustace was self-willed, and had already told him that she did not intend to keep the jewels in his house,--but in her own! What should he do, so that no human being,--not the most bigoted Tory that ever expressed scorn for a Whig lord,--should be able to say that he had done wrong?
He was engaged to the lady, and could not simply change his mind and give no reason.

He believed in Mr.Camperdown; but he could hardly plead that belief, should he hereafter be accused of heartless misconduct.

For aught he knew, Lady Eustace might bring an action against him for breach of promise, and obtain a verdict and damages, and annihilate him as an Under-Secretary.

How should he keep his hands quite clean?
Frank Greystock was, as far as he knew, Lizzie's nearest relative in London.