‘Things began to happen – a favourite chain of Evangeline’s broken, a rip in a new dress, a lost jewel – little things. And always the fault went either to one sister or the other. They accused each other of these mishaps and fell out badly.’ Her eyes grew darker, her voice more hushed and nervous. ‘But I found her, you see. I found Greer one day. She had a pair of sewing scissors. I saw her cut the dress myself. Greer made the mischief and caused the blame to fall to one or other of the girls. She was responsible for the rift between them.’

I felt a moment of shock that Greer’s need to avenge herself had been so slyly and maliciously executed.

‘And Miss Gillies’ accident? Was she the cause of that too?’

She sighed. ‘It was Miss Gillies’ birthday and her father had given her a gold pocket watch. It was a beautiful thing and Miss Gillies was very proud of it. She put it away in the library until the party that had been planned. But when she went to take it out again, the face was smashed. Miss Gillies was more upset than I have ever seen her, and she and Evangeline had a mighty row. There was some pushing and Miss Gillies fell on to the hearth in the library. I think she must have knocked herself out, and the hot iron and flames did the damage in seconds. The sound of Evangeline’s scream, I will never forget, and Miss Gillies’ poor face. That was the end of any friendship between them. They never spoke to each other again.’

‘And Mr and Mrs Gillies? What did they do?’

‘They too blamed Evangeline, and later we understood that Iskar had passed to Miss Gillies in compensation for her injury.’

‘And Greer? Had she smashed the watch?’

‘I suspect her, yes.’ She turned away and avoided my gaze.

‘What? What is it?’

Her demeanour altered. Shadows fell across her face and the air became charged with a sudden fear. She leaned towards me. ‘I am going to tell you something that I have never told before to a soul. Do you understand? Not a soul.’

‘Tell me,’ I whispered. ‘I will not repeat it.’