The Eustace Diamonds Introduction by Graham Handley

The third novel in Trollopes Palliser series, The Eustace Diamonds bears all the hallmarks of his later works, blending dark cynicism with humor and a keen perception of human nature. Following the death of her husband, Sir Florian, beautiful Lizzie Eustace mysteriously comes into possession of a hugely expensive diamond necklace. She maintains it was a gift from her husband, but the Eustace lawyers insist she give it up, and while her cousin Frank takes her side, her new lover, Lord Fawn, declares that he will only marry her if the necklace is surrendered. As gossip and scandal intensify, Lizzies truthfulness is thrown into doubt, and, in her desire to keep the jewels, she is driven to increasingly desperate acts.

Graham Handley is Lecturer in English in the Extra-Mural Department, University of London. He has edited Daniel Deronda (Clarendon Press) and Trollope's The Three Clerks (World's Classics). He has also written a book on George Eliot's Midlands and a critical study of Barchester Towers.