XVIII: “And I Have Nothing to Give” explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Climbing and Ambition

  Frank Greystock's internal conflict between his love for Lucy and his ambition for a high-profile legal and social career, reflecting the pressures of maintaining status despite financial embarrassment.

• Class and Privilege

  Lucy's awareness of her penniless status and Frank's financial struggles highlight class barriers; Lady Fawn's opposition to Lizzie underscores class-based judgments.

• Deception and Perjury

  Mrs. Hittaway's investigations into Lizzie's dealings with Mr. Benjamin hint at deception surrounding the diamonds, a central plot point.

Characters to notice

• Frank Greystock

  Defends his cousin Lizzie Eustace against Lady Fawn's hostility, while reaffirming his love for Lucy Morris. Struggles with his dual nature between love and ambition.

• Lucy Morris

  Accepts Frank's engagement with understanding of his financial difficulties, expresses unwavering love, and refrains from jealousy or criticism of Lizzie.

• Lizzie Eustace

  Mentioned as the cause of tension between Frank and Lady Fawn; Frank defends her despite Lucy's unspoken doubts about her character.

• Lady Fawn

  Opposes Frank's support for Lizzie and views Lizzie as an enemy; her daughters and household share this sentiment.

• Lord Fawn

  Believed to have broken off his engagement with Lizzie due to fear of scandal over the diamonds; his sister Mrs. Hittaway works against the match.

• Mrs. Hittaway

  Actively investigates Lizzie's past and the diamond transaction with Mr. Benjamin, sharing her findings with Lady Fawn, Mr. Camperdown, and Lord Fawn.

Key passages

• ““There is only one thing I couldn’t do for you,” she said. “And what is the one thing?” “I couldn’t give you up. I almost thought that I ought to refuse you because I can do nothing⁠—nothing to help you. But there will always come a limit to self-denial. I couldn’t do that! Could I?””

  Lucy tells Frank that the only thing she cannot do for him is to give him up, despite feeling she has nothing to offer.

  Lucy's declaration of unwavering love despite her lack of wealth or social standing.

• “He really did love the girl with all his heart. It may, perhaps, be said that he had never in truth loved any other woman.”

  Frank genuinely loves Lucy and has never truly loved anyone else.

  Narrator's affirmation of Frank's sincere love for Lucy, contrasting with his earlier ambivalence.

• “But there are human beings who, though of necessity single in body, are dual in character;⁠—in whose breasts not only is evil always fighting against good⁠—but to whom evil is sometimes horribly, hideously evil, but is sometimes also not hideous at all.”

  Some people have dual natures, where good and evil constantly struggle, and evil can appear less repulsive at times.

  Narrator's reflection on Frank's internal conflict between love and ambition.