George, Powell, and Kent were inseparable.
They were called the Three Musketeers at school.
Afterwards George lost sight of Kent, but Powell came out to Jamaica to stop with George.
That was before and after my marriage.
Denham was ruining my husband body and soul, and in pocket.
Powell tried to remonstrate with George, but it was no use.
Denham was the overseer, and George would not dismiss him.
Then Powell returned to England.
Afterwards when he heard from me that George was completely ruined, he wrote about the money."
"Did he say he would leave the money to George?"
"Not exactly that.
He said that Kent was ruined also, and explained that if he could make a fortune he would leave it equally divided between George and Kent, as he did not intend to marry himself."
"But he did not leave his money equally divided," said Giles.
"No.
But at that time Kent was not married, and Powell had not gone to Australia to make his money.
Whether he liked Kent better than George I don't know, but, as you are aware, he left the money first to Daisy—knowing that Kent was dead—and afterwards, should she die, to George and his descendants."
"Then the money which Denham holds as Franklin is rightfully Anne's?"
"Yes.
Now you are beginning to see.
But don't be in too much of a hurry.
I want to tell you how my elopement came about."
Ware nodded, and composed himself to listen.
The Princess resumed.
"I was happy at first with George.
I really was in love with him, and for two years we were devoted to one another.
Anne was born, and she drew us still closer together.
Then Denham chose to fall in love with me.
I repelled him with scorn, but did not tell my husband, as I dreaded lest George, who had a fiery temper, should kill the man.
I simply kept Denham at his distance.
He vowed to be revenged, and gradually ruined George.
He made him neglect the plantation, and spend more money than he could afford.
He induced him to drink, and then George, who had not a very strong will, began to run after other women.
I was furious, and told him about Denham.
He was so besotted with the creature that he refused to listen to me.
Powell tried to stop George's downward course, but without result.
Then he was called back to England, and I was left to battle against my enemy alone.
My father and mother were both dead, and I could do nothing.
Denham constantly inflamed George against me.
Our house was like hell."
Here she stopped to draw a long breath and control her emotion.
Giles pitied her profoundly, as he guessed how she had suffered.
However, he did not interrupt her, and she continued in a few moments.
"Prince Karacsay came to the island.
He was travelling for pleasure, and in his own yacht.
He fell in love with me.
Seeing how miserable I was, he implored me to fly with him.
But I would not.
I had lost much of my love for George, who, under the bad influence of Denham, treated me so cruelly.
But there was my child—my little Anne—to consider.
I declined to fly.