She had opposed, though not absolutely refused, all overtures of brotherly care from John Eustace.

She had declined a further invitation, both for herself and for her child, to the palace.

And she had positively asserted her intention of keeping the diamonds.

Her late husband, she said, had given the diamonds to her.
As they were supposed to be worth L10,000, and were really family diamonds, the matter was felt by all concerned to be one of much importance.

And she was oppressed by a heavy load of ignorance, which became serious from the isolation of her position.