CHAPTER V

THE EUSTACE NECKLACE


John Eustace, Lady Eustace's brother-in-law, had told his friend
Greystock, the lady's cousin, that Mr. Camperdown the lawyer intended to
"jump upon" that lady. Making such allowance and deduction from the force
of these words as the slang expression requires, we may say that John
Eustace was right. Mr. Camperdown was in earnest, and did intend to obtain
the restoration of those jewels. Mr. Camperdown was a gentleman of about
sixty, who had been lawyer to Sir Florian's father, and whose father had
been lawyer to Sir Florian's grandfather. His connection with the property
and with the family was of a nature to allow him to take almost any
liberty with the Eustaces. When therefore John Eustace, in regard to those
diamonds, had pleaded that the heir in his long minority would obtain
ample means of buying more diamonds, and of suggesting that the plunder
for the sake of tranquillity should be allowed, Mr. Camperdown took upon
himself to say that he'd "be ---- if he'd put up with it."

"I really don't know what you are to do," said John Eustace.

"I'll file a bill in Chancery, if it's necessary," said the old lawyer.
"Heaven on earth! as trustee how are you to reconcile yourself to such a
robbery? They represent £500 a year forever, and she is to have them
simply because she chooses to take them!"

"I suppose Florian could have given them away. At any rate, he could have