The Eustace Diamonds

The Eustace Diamonds is the third novel in the Pallisers series. It is not really about the Pallisers, but it leads into the action of Phineas Redux. Lizzie Eustace is the widow of a baronet, who married Sir Florian Eustace, a dissipated rake, for his money. She has a son by him, and when he dies she inherits his fortune. She becomes well known in London society when she makes a claim to a diamond necklace, stating that Florian gave it to her, while his family claim that it is an heirloom and belongs to the family estate. She is pretty and charming but dishonest and selfish.. She attracts admirers but it seems unlikely that she will find a decent second husband. Then her necklace is stolen. Lizzie is suspected of stealing it for herself. She attracts a lot of notice, and the old Duke of Omnium, now confined to bed and slowly dying, is entertained by the stories about her in the newspaper. Glencora pays her a visit, since she too is inclined to be amused by scandals. Lizzie manages to avoid trouble with the police but the diamonds are gone. She is left alone, and then marries a Mr Emilius, a clergyman who wants her for her money. Lizzie soon realises that he is already married and that he is a scoundrel. This leads up to the plot of Phineas Redux, where Mr Bonteen a Liberal politican, and his wife sympathise briefly with her, and take her into their house. Phineas is at odds with Bonteen so when he is murdered, Finn is the chief suspect. However it is Emilius who has a grudge against Bonteen.