The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
LXII: “You Know Where My Heart Is” explained
Frank Greystock visits Lizzie Eustace on a Sunday, where he confesses his financial troubles.
What happens
Frank Greystock visits Lizzie Eustace on a Sunday, where he confesses his financial troubles. Lizzie offers to lend him money but he refuses. Lizzie then reveals that Patience Crabstick has been arrested by the police, which threatens to expose the truth about the diamond theft. Lizzie expresses indifference to the community and recounts a visit from Lady Glencora Palliser and Lord Fawn, who has promised to write a letter offering marriage. Lizzie manipulates Lord Fawn while confiding in Frank about her desire to marry someone for position.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Perjury
Lizzie manipulates Lord Fawn and conceals her knowledge of the diamond theft, while the arrest of Patience Crabstick threatens to expose the truth.
Social Climbing and Ambition
Lizzie seeks to marry Lord Fawn for his title and position, and values the patronage of Lady Glencora and the Duke of Omnium.
Class and Privilege
Frank's financial struggles illustrate the precariousness of maintaining respectability without wealth, while Lizzie's indifference to the community reflects her privileged detachment.
Characters to notice
- Lizzie Eustace
Reveals Patience Crabstick's arrest, discusses her manipulation of Lord Fawn, and offers to lend Frank money.
- Frank Greystock
Confesses financial distress, refuses Lizzie's loan offer, and discusses the diamond theft investigation.
- Lord Fawn
Visited Lizzie and promised to write a letter proposing marriage again.
- Lady Glencora Palliser
Visited Lizzie and brought a message from the Duke of Omnium.
- Patience Crabstick
Arrested by police and expected to turn against the thieves.
- Lord George de Bruce Carruthers
Suspected by many, including Frank, of being the mastermind behind the diamond theft.
Key passages
“I don't care for the community. What has the community ever done for me?”
Lizzie expresses her disregard for societal obligations, feeling that society has given her nothing.
Reflects Lizzie's selfish and transactional view of social relations.
“A woman can marry without consulting her heart. Women do so every day.”
Lizzie argues that marriage can be a practical arrangement rather than a romantic one.
Highlights the theme of marriage as transaction and Lizzie's pragmatic approach to matrimony.
“The fact is, I live in that detestable no-man’s land, between respectability and insolvency, which has none of the pleasure of either.”
Frank describes his financial state as being neither fully respectable nor completely bankrupt, a miserable middle ground.
Illustrates the pressures of maintaining social standing despite financial instability.