The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
Let It Be as Though It Had Never Been explained
Lady Fawn is overwhelmed by the troubles caused by Lizzie Eustace, whose scandalous behavior and the diamond affair have disrupted her family.
What happens
Lady Fawn is overwhelmed by the troubles caused by Lizzie Eustace, whose scandalous behavior and the diamond affair have disrupted her family. Mrs. Hittaway pressures Lady Fawn to prove Lizzie's unfitness to marry Lord Fawn, while Lucy Morris, heartbroken over Frank Greystock's apparent abandonment, resigns herself to a life of solitude and plans to leave Lady Fawn's house. The chapter contrasts the Fawn family's scheming to protect Lord Fawn with Lucy's quiet despair.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Perjury
The Fawn family's efforts to prove Lizzie's misconduct involve gathering testimony from Andy Gowran, highlighting the use of alleged deception to control social outcomes.
Class and Privilege
Lucy Morris's low social standing as a governess makes her vulnerable to Frank Greystock's broken promises, while Lizzie's wealth and status allow her to navigate scandal with more resilience.
Marriage as Transaction
Mrs. Hittaway views Frank Greystock's potential marriage to Lizzie as a financial arrangement, and Lord Fawn's engagement is treated as a matter of social strategy rather than love.
Characters to notice
- Lady Fawn
Burdened by family troubles and the scandal involving Lizzie Eustace, she reluctantly listens to Andy Gowran's account and suffers from the moral weight of the situation.
- Mrs. Hittaway
Actively schemes to prevent Lord Fawn from marrying Lizzie Eustace by gathering evidence of Lizzie's misconduct, and dismisses Lucy Morris's hopes as unrealistic.
- Lucy Morris
Devastated by Frank Greystock's neglect, she resolves to leave Lady Fawn's house and return to governess work, feeling her future is bleak and hopeless.
- Lord Fawn
Mentioned as weak and susceptible to Lady Glencora Palliser's influence; he is set to visit Lizzie, risking a renewal of their engagement.
- Frank Greystock
Discussed as likely to pursue Lizzie Eustace for her money, leaving Lucy Morris abandoned; his debts and social ambitions are cited as reasons for his behavior.
- Lizzie Eustace
The central figure of scandal; her diamond affair and rumored misconduct in Scotland are used by the Fawn family to justify breaking off Lord Fawn's engagement.
Key passages
“Of all simply human creeds the strongest existing creed for the present in the minds of the Fawn ladies was that which had reference to the general iniquity of Lizzie Eustace.”
The Fawn women's strongest belief was that Lizzie Eustace was fundamentally wicked.
This sets the tone for the family's campaign against Lizzie.
“It will kill Lucy.”
Lucy will be destroyed by this heartbreak.
Lady Fawn expresses her fear for Lucy's emotional survival.
“Girls ain't killed so easy, mamma;—not nowadays.”
Young women are more resilient than you think, mother.
Mrs. Hittaway dismisses Lady Fawn's concern as outdated.