CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Positively the Last Appearance of Sir Henry Ancred

AFTERWARDS, WHEN HE told Troy about Fenella’s entrance, Alleyn said the thing that struck him most at the time was Jenetta Ancred’s command of savoir-faire. Obviously this was a development she had not foreseen and one which filled her with dismay. Yet her quiet assurance never wavered, nor did she neglect the tinge of irony that was implicit in her good manners.

She said: ‘Darling, how dramatic and alarming. This is my girl, Fenella, Mr Alleyn. And this is my nephew, Paul Ancred.’

‘I’m sorry to burst in,’ said Fenella. ‘How do you do? Please may we talk to you?’ She held out her hand.

‘Not just at this moment,’ said her mother. ‘Mr Alleyn and I really are rather busy. Do you mind, darling?’

Fenella’s grip on his hand had been urgent and nervous. She had whispered: ‘Please.’ Alleyn said: ‘May we just hear what this is about, Mrs Ancred?’

‘Mummy, it’s important. Really.’

‘Paul,’ said her mother, ‘can’t you manage this firebrand of yours?’

‘I think it’s important too, Aunt Jen.’

‘My dearest children, I honestly don’t think you know—’

‘But Aunt Jen, we do. We’ve talked it over quite cold-bloodedly. We know that what we’ve got to say may bring a lot of publicity and scandal on the family,’ said Paul with something very like relish. ‘We don’t enjoy the prospect, but we think any other course would be dishonest.’

‘We accept the protection of the law,’ said Fenella rather loudly. ‘It’d be illogical and dishonest to try and circumvent justice to save the family face. We know we’re up against something pretty horrible. We accept the responsibility, don’t we, Paul?’

‘Yes,’ said Paul. ‘We don’t like it, but we do it.’

‘Oh,’ Jenetta cried out vehemently, ‘for pity’s sake don’t be so heroic! Ancreds, Ancreds, both of you!’

‘Mummy, we’re not. You don’t even know what we’re going to say. This isn’t a matter of theatre; it’s a matter of principle, and, if you like, of sacrifice.’

‘And you both see yourselves being sacrificial and high-principled. Mr Alleyn,’ Jenetta said, and it was as if she added: ‘After all, we speak the same language, you and I. I do most earnestly beg you to take whatever these ridiculous children have to say with a colossal pinch of salt.’

‘Mummy, it’s important.’

‘Then,’ said Alleyn, ‘let’s have it.’

She gave in, as he had expected, lightly and with grace. ‘Well, then, if we must be instructed…Do at least sit down, both of you, and let poor Mr Alleyn sit down too.’