The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
X: Lizzie and Her Lover explained
Lizzie vacillates between breaking off her engagement to Lord Fawn and clinging to it for protection after receiving a threatening letter from Mr.
What happens
Lizzie vacillates between breaking off her engagement to Lord Fawn and clinging to it for protection after receiving a threatening letter from Mr. Camperdown demanding the return of the Eustace diamonds. She shows the diamonds to Lord Fawn, who advises her to surrender them to the lawyer, causing a rift between them. In defiance, Lizzie writes to her aunt and Mrs. Eustace to announce the engagement publicly.
Themes in this chapter
Property and Ownership
The central conflict over the Eustace diamonds—Lizzie claims them as a personal gift, while the Eustace family lawyer demands their return as family property.
Marriage as Transaction
Lizzie views marriage to Lord Fawn as a means of securing protection and social standing; Lord Fawn's interest is tied to her income.
Deception and Perjury
Lizzie lies about Lord Fawn's Cabinet position and exaggerates the circumstances of the diamond gift, foreshadowing future perjury.
Characters to notice
- Lizzie Eustace
Wavers on marriage to Lord Fawn, then resolves to keep the engagement after receiving Mr. Camperdown's letter; shows the diamonds to Lord Fawn and writes letters announcing the engagement.
- Miss Macnulty
Lizzie's dependent companion; hears Lizzie's complaints about the marriage and doubts the match will proceed.
- Lord Fawn
Visits Lizzie; advises her to surrender the diamonds to Mr. Camperdown, causing tension; Lizzie resolves not to let him escape the engagement.
- Mr. Camperdown
Sends a letter to Lizzie demanding the return of the Eustace diamonds, prompting her to seek Lord Fawn's support.
- Lady Linlithgow
Lizzie writes to her aunt announcing the engagement to Lord Fawn in a sharp tone.
- Mrs. Eustace
Lizzie writes to the bishop's wife to announce her engagement in a more conciliatory tone.
Key passages
“Of course, my dear, I shall have to look very close after the settlement.”
Lizzie tells Miss Macnulty she will carefully monitor the marriage settlement to protect her property.
Highlights Lizzie's transactional view of marriage and her distrust of lawyers.
“Mr. Camperdown calls them Eustace diamonds—family diamonds.”
Lord Fawn points out that the lawyer considers the diamonds family heirlooms, not Lizzie's personal property.
Establishes the legal dispute over ownership of the diamonds.
“He wants to rob me, said Lizzie, and I shall look to you to prevent it.”
Lizzie accuses Mr. Camperdown of theft and demands Lord Fawn's support in keeping the diamonds.
Shows Lizzie's determination to retain the jewels and her expectation of Lord Fawn's complicity.