1The inquest went off much as I had prophesied. It was adjourned at the request of the police.

2We were in good spirits for news had come through the night before from the hospital that Josephine's injuries were much less serious than had been feared and that her recovery would be rapid. For the moment, Dr Gray said, she was to be allowed no visitors - not even her mother.

3"Particularly not her mother," Sophia murmured to me. "I made that quite clear to Dr Gray. Anyway, he knows Mother."

4I must have looked rather doubtful for Sophia said sharply:

5"Why the disapproving look?"

6"Well - surely a mother -"

7"I'm glad you've got a few nice old fashioned ideas, Charles. But you don't quite know what my mother is capable of yet. The darling can't help it, but there would simply have to be a grand dramatic scene. And dramatic scenes aren't the best things for anyone recovering from head injuries."

8"You do think of everything, don't you, my sweet."

9"Well, somebody's got to do the thinking now that grandfather's gone."

10I looked at her speculatively. I saw that old Leonides's acumen had not deserted him. The mantle of his responsibilities was already on Sophia's shoulders.

11After the inquest, Gaitskill accompanied us back to Three Gables. He cleared his throat and said pontifically:

12"There is an announcement it is my duty to make to you all."

13For this purpose the family assembled in Magda's drawing room. I had on this occasion the rather pleasurable sensations of the man behind the scenes. I knew in advance what Gaitskill had to say.

14I prepared myself to observe the reactions of everyone.

15Gaitskill was brief and dry. Any signs of personal feeling and annoyance were well held in check. He read first Aristide Leonides's letter and then the will itself. It was very interesting to watch. I only wished my eyes could be everywhere at once.

16I did not pay much attention to Brenda and Laurence. The provision for Brenda in this will was the same. I watched primarily Roger and Philip, and after them Magda and Clemency.

17My first impression was that they all behaved very well.

18Philip's lips were pressed closely together, his handsome head was thrown back against the tall chair in which he was sitting. He did not speak.

19Magda, on the contrary, burst into speech as soon as Mr Gaitskill finished, her rich voice surging over his thin tones like an incoming tide drowning a rivulet.

20"Darling Sophia - how extraordinary... How romantic... Fancy old Sweetie Pie being so cunning and deceitful - just like a dear old baby. Didn't he trust us? Did he think we'd be cross? He never seemed to be fonder of Sophia than of the rest of us. But really, it's most dramatic."

21Suddenly Magda jumped lightly to her feet, danced over to Sophia and swept her a very grand court curtsey.

22"Madame Sophia, your penniless and broken down old mother begs you for alms." Her voice took on a cockney whine.

23"Spare us a copper, old dear. Your Ma wants to go to the pictures."

24Her hand, crooked into a claw, twitched urgently at Sophia.

25Philip, without moving, said through stiff lips:

26"Please Magda, there's no call for any unnecessary clowning."

27"Oh, but, Roger," cried Magda, suddenly turning to Roger. "Poor darling Roger. Sweetie was going to come to the rescue and then, before he could do it, he died. And now Roger doesn't get anything. Sophia," she turned imperiously, "you simply must do something about Roger."

28"No," said Clemency. She had moved forward a step. Her face was defiant. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

29Roger came shambling over to Sophia like a large amiable bear.

30He took her hands affectionately.

31"I don't want a penny, my dear girl. As soon as this business is cleared up - or has died down, which is more what it looks like - then Clemency and I are off to the West Indies and the simple life. If I'm ever in extremis I'll apply to the head of the family -" he grinned at her endearingly - "but until then I don't want a penny. I'm a very simple person really, my dear - you ask Clemency if I'm not."

32An unexpected voice broke in. It was Edith de Haviland's.

33"That's all very well," she said. "But you've to pay some attention to the look of the thing. If you go bankrupt, Roger, and then slink off to the ends of the earth without Sophia's holding out a helping hand, there will be a good deal of ill natured talk that will not be pleasant for Sophia."

34"What does public opinion matter?" asked Clemency scornfully.

35"We know it doesn't to you. Clemency," said Edith de Haviland sharply, "but Sophia lives in this world. She's a girl with good brains and a good heart, and I've no doubt that Aristide was quite right in his selection of her to hold the family fortunes - though to pass over your two sons in their lifetime seems odd to our English ideas - but I think it would be very unfortunate if it got about that she behaved greedily over this - and had let Roger crash without trying to help him."

36Roger went over to his aunt. He put his arms round her and hugged her.

37"Aunt Edith," he said. "You are a darling - and a stubborn fighter, but you don't begin to understand. Clemency and I know what we want - and what we don't want!"

38Clemency, a sudden spot of colour showing in each thin cheek, stood defiantly facing them.

39"None of you," she said, "understand Roger. You never have! I don't suppose you ever will! Come on, Roger."

40They left the room as Mr Gaitskill began clearing his throat and arranging his papers. His countenance was one of deep disapprobation.

41He disliked the foregoing scenes very much. That was clear.

42My eyes came at last to Sophia herself. She stood straight and handsome by the fireplace, her chin up, her eyes steady. She had just been left an immense fortune, but my principal thought was how alone she had suddenly become. Between her and her family a barrier had been erected. Henceforth she was divided from them, and I fancied that she already knew and faced that fact. Old Leonides had laid a burden upon her shoulders - he had been aware of that and she knew it herself. He had believed that her shoulders were strong enough to bear it, but just at this moment I felt unutterably sorry for her.

43So far she had not spoken - indeed she had been given no chance, but very soon now speech would be forced from her.

44Already, beneath the affection of her family, I could sense latent hostility. Even in Magda's graceful play-acting there had been, I fancied, a subtle malice. And there were other darker under-currents that had not yet come to the surface.

45Mr Gaitskill's throat clearings gave way to precise and measured speech.

46"Allow me to congratulate you, Sophia," he said. "You are a very wealthy woman. I should not advise any - er - precipitate action. I can advance you what ready money is needed for current expenses. If you wish to discuss future arrangements I shall be happy to give you the best advice in my power. Make an appointment with me at Lincoln's Inn when you have had plenty of time to think things over."

47"Roger," began Edith de Haviland obstinately.

48Mr Gaitskill snapped in quickly.

49"Roger," he said, "must fend for himself. He's a grown man - er, fifty-four, I believe. And Aristide Leonides was quite right, you know. He isn't a businessman. Never will be." He looked at Sophia. "If you put Associated Catering on its legs again, don't be under any illusions that Roger can run it successfully."

50"I shouldn't dream of putting Associated Catering on its legs again," said Sophia.

51It was the first time she had spoken. Her voice was crisp and businesslike.

52"It would be an idiotic thing to do," she added.

53Gaitskill shot a glance at her from under his brows, and smiled to himself. Then he wished everyone goodbye and went out.

54There were a few moments of silence, a realisation that the family circle was alone with itself.

55Then Philip got up stiffly.

56"I must get back to the library," he said. "I have lost a lot of time."

57"Father -" Sophia spoke uncertainly, almost pleadingly. I felt her quiver and draw back as Philip turned cold hostile eyes on her.

58"You must forgive me for not congratulating you," he said. "But this has been rather a shock to me. I would not have believed that my father would so have humiliated me - that he would have disregarded my lifetime's devotion - yes - devotion."

59For the first time, the natural man broke through the crust of icy restraint.

60"My God," he cried. "How could he do this to me? He was always unfair to me - always."

61"Oh no, Philip, no, you mustn't think that," cried Edith de Haviland. "Don't regard this as another slight. It isn't. When people get old, they turn naturally to a younger generation... I assure you it's only that... And besides, Aristide had a very keen business sense. I've often heard him say that two lots of death duties -"

62"He never cared for me," said Philip.

63His voice was low and hoarse. "It was always Roger - Roger. Well, at least -" an extraordinary expression of spite suddenly marred his handsome features, "father realised that Roger was a fool and a failure. He cut Roger out, too."

64"What about me?" said Eustace.

65I had hardly noticed Eustace until now, but I perceived that he was trembling with some violent emotion. His face was crimson, there were, I thought, tears in his eyes. His voice shook as it rose hysterically.

66"It's a shame!" said Eustace. "It's a damned shame! How dare Grandfather do this to me? How dare he? I was his only grandson. How dare he pass me over for Sophia? It's not fair. I hate him. I hate him. I'll never forgive him as long as I live. Beastly tyrannical old man. I wanted him to die. I wanted to get out of this house. I wanted to be my own master. And now I've got to be bullied and messed around by Sophia, and made to look a fool. I wish I was dead..."

67His voice broke and he rushed out of the room.

68Edith de Haviland gave a sharp click of her tongue.

69"No self control," she murmured.

70"I know just how he feels," cried Magda.

71"I'm sure you do," said Edith with acidity in her tone.

72"The poor sweet! I must go after him."

73"Now, Magda -" Edith hurried after her.

74Their voices died away. Sophia remained looking at Philip. There was, I think, a certain pleading in her glance. If so, it got no response. He looked at her coldly, quite in control of himself once more.

75"You played your cards very well, Sophia," he said and went out of the room.

76"That was a cruel thing to say," I cried.

77"Sophia -"

78She stretched out her hands to me. I took her in my arms.

79"This is too much for you, my sweet."

80"I know just how they feel," said Sophia.

81"That old devil, your grandfather, shouldn't have let you in for this."

82She straightened her shoulders.

83"He believed I could take it. And so I can. I wish - I wish Eustace didn't mind so much."

84"He'll get over it."

85"Will he? I wonder. He's the kind that broods terribly. And I hate father being hurt."

86"Your mother's all right."

87"She minds a bit. It goes against the grain to have to come and ask your daughter for money to put on plays. She'll be after me to put on the Edith Thompson one before you can turn round."

88"And what will you say? If it keeps her happy..."

89Sophia pulled herself right out of my arms, her head went back.

90"I shall say no! It's a rotten play and mother couldn't play the part. It would be throwing the money away."

91I laughed softly. I couldn't help it.

92"What is it?" Sophia demanded suspiciously.

93"I'm beginning to understand why your grandfather left you his money. You're a chip off the old block, Sophia."