The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
The Corsair Is Afraid explained
Lord George Carruthers, the Corsair, becomes increasingly wary of Lizzie Eustace as the police close in on the diamond theft.
What happens
Lord George Carruthers, the Corsair, becomes increasingly wary of Lizzie Eustace as the police close in on the diamond theft. He advises her to confess or flee, but refuses to marry her due to her deceitfulness. Meanwhile, a newspaper reports the arrest of a housebreaker linked to the robberies, and Lizzie fears exposure for perjury.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Perjury
Lizzie's fear of being prosecuted for perjury dominates the chapter, as she contemplates confessing or fleeing to avoid exposure.
Marriage as Transaction
Lord George weighs the pros and cons of marrying Lizzie for her income, but her deceit and legal troubles make him hesitate.
Gender and Power
Lizzie's dependence on male figures (Lord George, Frank Greystock) for advice and protection highlights her limited agency despite her wealth.
Characters to notice
- Lizzie Eustace
Desperate and fearful, Lizzie seeks Lord George's advice but is left without comfort; she considers fleeing abroad but lacks funds.
- Lord George de Bruce Carruthers
The Corsair is afraid of Lizzie's deceit; he advises her to confess or escape, but decides against marrying her due to her dangerous nature.
- Mr. Benjamin
Mentioned as having fled abroad after the arrest of a housebreaker; he had previously dealt with Lizzie over the diamonds.
- Patience Crabstick
Referenced as the docile maid set to watch over Lizzie's belongings by Mr. Benjamin.
- Mrs. Carbuncle
Angry at the newspaper paragraph calling the house Lizzie's; she fears further legal trouble.
- Lucinda Roanoke
Expresses a wish that the truth about the robberies be found out.
Key passages
““Might I not go abroad—just for a time?” she asked. “And so let it blow over?” “Just so, you know.” “It is possible that you might,” he said. “Not that it would blow over altogether. Everybody would know it. It is too late now to stop the police, and if you meant to be off, you should be off at once;—today or tomorrow.””
Lizzie asks if she can escape abroad until the scandal fades, but Lord George warns that the police are already involved and she must leave immediately if she wants to avoid exposure.
Lord George advises Lizzie to flee, but she lacks the money to do so.
“He looked at her, and told himself that she was very pretty. But in spite of her beauty, his judgment went against her. He did not dare to share even his boat with so dangerous a fellow-passenger.”
Despite finding Lizzie attractive, Lord George decides she is too risky to marry, comparing her to a dangerous travel companion.
Lord George's fear of Lizzie's deceit leads him to reject the idea of marriage.
““We are given to understand,”—newspapers are very frequently given to understand—“that a man well-known to the London police as an accomplished housebreaker has been arrested in reference to the robbery which was effected on the 30th of January last at Lady Eustace’s house in Hertford Street.””
A newspaper reports that a known burglar has been arrested for the January robbery at Lizzie's London house, hinting at a breakthrough in the case.
The newspaper article alarms Lizzie and her household, signaling that the police are closing in.