"That's your affair, and not mine."
"But," said Lady Wyke, with an evil smile, "I shall make it my business to discover how your father murdered Hector."
"That will be difficult. He had no reason to murder him," so Claudia said, but she winced for all that at the threat.
Lady Wyke saw her wincing, and regained a little of her former dominance. "Yes, he had. Hector was going to leave the money to Edwin, and your father knows that Edwin wouldn't have given him a shilling."
"He would have given me a shilling, and I would have given it to father. I know you are trying hard to make me surrender, Lady Wyke, but it won't do. Edwin has gone to London to see my father and make things straight."
"He can't, he can't!"
"That remains to be seen. I defy you."
"I hear you," Lady Wyke burst out into a shrill laughter. "You defy me, do you. Well, then I shall hang your father and marry Edwin and see you ruined."
"Oh, so you admit that Edwin is innocent," cried Claudia, seizing this admission. "I admit nothing, I shall act."
"Act as soon as you please." Claudia opened the door. "Good-night, Lady Wyke."