'My lord marquis, it becomes my painful duty to inform you that your brother is dead.'
It was a diplomatic way of announcing the news. Vi, as usual, told the truth with too much candour: 'He was a wicked man; he died as he had lived.'
Hancock shook his head.
'Of the dead, my dear young lady, let no man speak ill.'
I led her from the room, Edith following with Reggie. So soon as I got her outside I started to scold her there and then.
'I need not tell you, Violet, that you have behaved very badly.'
'You should not have let him touch me. I could not bear his fingers against my skin.' She shuddered at the recollection. 'Those dreadful hands! To think of all they've done!'
'You might at least have remembered that the man was on the threshold of the grave. One day you may yourself stand in need of a lenient judgment.'
'I wish I'd never seen him.'
'I wish it also. The mischief you have done is irrevocable. If it hadn't been for you a will would be in existence by the terms of which Reggie would be in indisputable possession of everything.'