The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
Frank Greystock's Second Visit to Portray explained
Frank Greystock visits Lizzie Eustace at Portray Castle, where she reveals her desire for revenge against Lord Fawn and her determination to keep and flaunt the Eustace diamonds despite legal threats.
What happens
Frank Greystock visits Lizzie Eustace at Portray Castle, where she reveals her desire for revenge against Lord Fawn and her determination to keep and flaunt the Eustace diamonds despite legal threats. Lizzie also confesses that she accepted Lord Fawn's proposal out of anger and despair when Frank failed to visit her, and she criticizes his engagement to Lucy Morris.
Themes in this chapter
Property and Ownership
Lizzie asserts her right to the diamonds as her property, refusing to lock them away and vowing to wear them publicly despite legal claims.
Deception and Perjury
Lizzie's confession to Frank about her motives for accepting Lord Fawn reveals her deceptive nature and willingness to manipulate others.
Characters to notice
- Lizzie Eustace
Expresses desire for revenge against Lord Fawn, confesses her feelings for Frank, and defends her right to keep the diamonds.
- Frank Greystock
Visits Portray Castle to discuss Lizzie's business, advises her on the diamonds, and defends Lucy Morris against Lizzie's criticism.
- Miss Macnulty
Present as Lizzie's companion, makes a brief comment about ladies liking diamonds.
- Lucy Morris
Mentioned by Lizzie as Frank's fiancée, criticized as 'prim' and 'moral'.
- Lord Fawn
Mentioned as the man Lizzie plans to punish for breaking their engagement.
Key passages
“I have been ill-used... And I will be revenged.”
Lizzie declares that she has been wronged and intends to get revenge on Lord Fawn.
Lizzie's determination to punish Lord Fawn for breaking their engagement.
“I accepted him in my anger, in my misery, in my despair, because I had expected you to come to me—and you had not come!”
Lizzie confesses that she accepted Lord Fawn's proposal out of frustration when Frank did not visit her.
Lizzie reveals her true feelings for Frank and the motive behind her engagement to Lord Fawn.
“Though I am only a woman I have an idea of my own rights, and will defend them as far as they go.”
Lizzie asserts her right to keep the diamonds despite being a woman in a patriarchal society.
Lizzie's defiance of legal claims on the diamonds and her assertion of ownership.