Lord Fawn was at any rate a peer.

She had heard that he was a poor peer,--but a peer, she thought, can't be altogether poor.

And though he was a stupid owl,--she did not hesitate to acknowledge to herself that he was as stupid as an owl,--he had a position.

He was one of the Government, and his wife would, no doubt, be able to go anywhere.

It was becoming essential to her that she should marry.
Even though her husband should give up the diamonds, she would not in such case incur the disgrace of surrendering them herself.