# Lizzie Is Threatened with the Treadmill explained — The Eustace Diamonds

> Chapter companion for The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Lizzie faces the fallout of the diamond theft revelation. Mrs. Carbuncle confronts her, accusing her of perjury and threatening her with the treadmill. Lizzie then meets Frank Greystock, attempting to manipulate him with tears and confessions while still hiding the full truth about the diamonds.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Perjury

Lizzie's lies about the diamond theft are exposed; Mrs. Carbuncle explicitly accuses her of perjury, threatening legal consequences.

### Truth vs. Appearance

Lizzie's carefully constructed facade of innocence crumbles as the truth about the diamonds emerges; she struggles to maintain appearances with Frank.

### Class and Privilege

Lizzie's wealth and social position are threatened by legal exposure; Mrs. Carbuncle mentions potential loss of property, highlighting the precarious nature of aristocratic status.

## Character check-ins

### Lizzie Eustace

Threatened by Mrs. Carbuncle with the treadmill for perjury; attempts to manipulate Frank Greystock with tears and partial confessions about the diamond theft.

### Mrs. Carbuncle

Confronts Lizzie, accusing her of perjury and threatening her with legal consequences including the treadmill and loss of property.

### Frank Greystock

Visits Lizzie after the diamond theft is exposed; she tries to win his sympathy and avoid full confession.

### Major Mackintosh

Mentioned as having informed Lizzie about the police uncovering the diamond theft conspiracy.

### Mr. Camperdown

Lizzie has an appointment with him regarding the diamonds; mentioned as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.

## Key lines

> When a woman has committed perjury, nothing too bad can possibly be said to her. You are amenable to the outraged laws of the country, and it is my belief that they can keep you upon the treadmill and bread and water for months and months—if not for years.

Mrs. Carbuncle tells Lizzie that because she has committed perjury, she deserves harsh treatment and could be sentenced to hard labor on the treadmill with a bread and water diet for a long time.

_Mrs. Carbuncle's threat reflects the severe legal penalties for perjury in Victorian England._

> I am glad they are gone. I am glad that the police have not found them. They tormented me so that I hated them.

Lizzie claims to be relieved that the diamonds are lost and that the police haven't recovered them, saying the jewels caused her great distress.

_Lizzie's statement is a manipulative attempt to appear innocent and detached from the diamonds._

## Links

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