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three years of perfect happiness, and the most tender devotion in the last months of his life. The words were very clear and free from legal jargon. ‘I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Isabel Jane, the house known as Beaumont House, with all its parks and amenities, the stud and all bloodstock therein, all chattels inside and outside the said house, to include my collection of sporting pictures and trophies; I also give and bequeath to the said Isabel Jane my racehorses and the following stock holdings and investments herein designated.…’ There followed a long list of shares and Blue Chip investments. And then the clause the solicitor had mentioned. In the event of her remarriage, the estate reverted to a central trust fund in favour of any children she might have, the income to be hers for life. If she died unmarried within a period of two years from the date of the will, Beaumont with its stud and bloodstock was bequeathed to Dr Andrew Graham, his stock holdings to be held on trust for the Graham child who was his godson during his minority. His collection of sporting art was left to the Kellway Museum. There was a codicil, added a week before he died, in which there was a bequest of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Timothy Robert Ryan in the event of the Derby being won by Silver Falcon, and the said Timothy Robert Ryan being still in his widow’s employment. The will stated that no bequest had been made to his son Richard Anthony, since adequate provision had been made for him under his mother’s will. Isabel put the paper down and looked at Henry Winter.
    â€˜I can’t accept this,’ she said. ‘He’s left his only son without a dollar. I think it’s dreadful.’
    â€˜Richard Schriber was left two million in a trust fund by his mother,’ the lawyer said. ‘I have copies of her will with me. I can assure you, Mrs Schriber; I know your stepson’s financial circumstances and there is certainly no hardship.’ He gave a brief smile which she didn’t like. ‘He’s an extremely rich young man. Which considering his mode of life is probably a pity. He was a great disappointment to Mr Schriber, and your husband had us draw up this will in such terms that if his son did decide to contest it, he wouldn’t have a chance of winning. Your husband made his wishes and his devotion to you very clear. I don’t think you need feel any embarrassment.’
    â€˜Embarrassment is not the word,’ she said. ‘I feel bewildered. I can’t believe my husband could dismiss his son like that. Not a word of affection, not a personal token. All right so his mother left him everything. It doesn’t justify treating him like this! What am I going to say to him –’
    â€˜Well,’ Henry Winter said. ‘That brings me to the other matter. I received a letter from Dr Graham. I know the doctor and I must say straight away, I have a great respect for his opinion. He asked me to prepare an application for an injunction, to prevent Richard Schriber from coming to Beaumont. I wonder if you’d consider signing it?’
    â€˜No I certainly would not!’ Isabel snapped. ‘My husband is dead. I live here now and I shall say who comes to visit and who doesn’t. How dare Dr Graham do such a thing – I’ve never heard of such a disgraceful suggestion!’
    â€˜Mrs Schriber,’ the lawyer said. ‘Please. Consider your husband’s wishes. And I assure you, the doctor is only acting in your best interests. He’s trying to protect you!’
    â€˜From what?’ she demanded. ‘I’m not criticizing my husband, Mr Winter. He took a certain attitude towards his son and nothing I could say could change it. But I don’t have to follow on. I shall tell Dr Graham myself what I think of his writing to you behind my back!’
    Henry Winter stood up. ‘Very well, Mrs Schriber. As you