The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
Mr. Gowran Up in London explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Hittaway spreads rumors that Lizzie Eustace is engaged to Frank Greystock, hoping to protect her brother Lord Fawn. She brings Andy Gowran to London to testify against Lizzie, but Lord Fawn, disgusted by the task, refuses to hear Gowran's accusations. Meanwhile, Lady Linlithgow taunts Lucy Morris about Frank's supposed engagement, and Lucy writes a letter to Frank offering him his freedom, though she ultimately decides not to send it.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Perjury
Mrs. Hittaway spreads rumors and manufactures stories about Lizzie, while Andy Gowran is brought to London to give damaging testimony.
Social Climbing and Ambition
Lizzie's rumored engagement to Frank is seen as a social advancement; Mrs. Hittaway's efforts are driven by her desire to protect her brother's social standing.
Truth vs. Appearance
Rumors and appearances conflict with reality: Lucy's faith in Frank is tested by what others say, and Lord Fawn rejects the sordid truth Andy Gowran offers.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Hittaway
Diligently spreads rumors about Lizzie and Frank to protect her brother Lord Fawn; arranges for Andy Gowran to come to London.
- Lizzie Eustace
Subject of Mrs. Hittaway's rumors; accused of being engaged to Frank Greystock and of improper conduct at Portray.
- Frank Greystock
Rumored to be engaged to Lizzie; Lucy's lover who has been neglecting her.
- Lucy Morris
Receives wound from Lady Linlithgow's taunts about Frank's supposed engagement; writes but does not send a letter offering Frank his freedom.
- Lord Fawn
Brother of Mrs. Hittaway; refuses to hear Andy Gowran's accusations against Lizzie, finding the task distasteful.
- Andy Gowran
Brought to London by Mrs. Hittaway to testify against Lizzie; rebuffed by Lord Fawn.
Key passages
“She was very loud in her denunciations, and took care that they should reach even Lady Linlithgow, so that poor Lucy Morris might know of what sort was the lover in whom she trusted.”
Mrs. Hittaway made sure her accusations against Lizzie and Frank were heard by Lady Linlithgow, intending to hurt Lucy by revealing the kind of man she loved.
Mrs. Hittaway's deliberate cruelty toward Lucy.
“He was weak, and foolish, and in many respects ignorant—but he was a gentleman.”
Lord Fawn had many flaws, but his sense of honor prevented him from stooping to hear Andy Gowran's sordid tales.
Narrator's assessment of Lord Fawn's character.
“Had not absolute faith in her lover been the rock on which she had declared to herself that she would build the house of her future hopes?”
Lucy had always insisted that trusting Frank completely was the foundation of her hopes for their future.
Lucy's internal struggle between doubt and faith.