John Eustace and the bishop had combined in demanding them on behalf of the heir, and a lawsuit had then commenced! The diamonds were the most costly belonging to any Commoner in England, and had been valued at twenty-four thousand pounds! Lord Fawn had retreated from his engagement the moment he heard that any doubt was thrown on Lady Eustace's right to their possession! Lady Eustace had declared her intention of bringing an action against Lord Fawn,--and had also secreted the diamonds! The reader will be aware that this statement was by no means an accurate history of the difficulty as far as it had as yet progressed.

It was, indeed, absolutely false in every detail; but it sufficed to show that the matter was becoming public.
"You don't mean to say that Lord Fawn is off ?" asked Madame Goesler.
"I do," said Lady Glencora.
"Poor Lord Fawn!" exclaimed Lady Chiltern.

"It really seems as though he never would be settled." "I don't think he has courage enough for such conduct as that," said Madame Goesler.
"And besides, Lady Eustace's income is quite certain," said Lady Chiltern, "and poor dear Lord Fawn does want money so badly." "But it is very disagreeable," said Lady Glencora, "to believe that your wife has got the finest diamonds in England, and then to find that she has only--stolen them.

I think Lord Fawn is right.

If a man does marry for money he should have the money.