"I know," Augusta said, and there was a telling note of frustration in her voice. "I sometimes wish...." She stopped before revealing herself too much. "Sooner or later he will hand over the reins. It could happen tomorrow. Cousin Samuel cannot pretend there is nothing to worry about."
"Perhaps," said Joseph. "But if he does so pretend, I'm not sure what can be done."
"Seth may have to be told about the problem."
Hugh wondered how much old Seth knew about his son's life. In his heart he probably knew the truth, but perhaps he never admitted it, even to himself.
Joseph looked uneasy. "Heaven forbid."
"It would certainly be unfortunate," Augusta said with brisk hypocrisy. "But you must make Samuel understand that unless he gives way his father will have to be brought in, and if that happens Seth must have all the facts."
Hugh could not help admiring her cunning and ruthlessness. She was sending Samuel a message: Give up your secretary or we'll force your father to confront the reality that his son is more or less married to a man.
In truth she did not care a straw about Samuel and his secretary. She just wanted to make it impossible for him to become Senior Partner--so that the mantle would fall on her husband. It was pretty low, and Hugh wondered whether Joseph fully understood what Augusta was doing.
Now Joseph said uneasily: "I should like to resolve matters without such drastic action."
Augusta lowered her voice to an intimate murmur. When she did this, Hugh always thought, she was transparently insincere, like a dragon trying to purr. "I'm quite sure you'll find a way to do just that," she said. She smiled beseechingly. "Will you drive with me today? I should so like your company."
He shook his head. "I must go to the bank."
"What a shame, to be shut up in a dusty office on a beautiful day like this."
"There has been a panic in Bologna."
Hugh was intrigued. Since the Vienna "Krach" there had been several bank failures and company liquidations in different parts of Europe, but this was the first "panic." London had escaped damage, so far. In June the bank rate, the thermometer of the financial world, had risen to seven percent--not quite fever level--and it had already dropped back to six percent. However, there might be some excitement today
Augusta said: "I trust the panic won't affect us."
"So long as we take care, no," said Joseph.
"But it's a holiday today--there will be no one at the bank to make your tea!"
"I daresay I shall survive half a day without tea."
