By his will, Sir Alan left all his real and personal estate to his son, with a life charge of L1,000 per annum for the daughter.

As he was a very wealthy man, almost a millionaire, the provision for his daughter was niggardly, which might be accounted for by the fact that the girl, several years before her father's death, quarrelled with him and left home, residing in London and in Florence.
Both children, by the way, were born in Italy, where Sir Alan met and married Miss Somers.
"The old gentleman, it appeared, allowed Miss Hume-Frazer L5,000 per annum during his life.

His son voluntarily continued this allowance, but the brother and sister continued to live apart, he devoted to travel and sport, she to music and art, with a leaning towards the occult--a woman divorced from conventionality and filled with a hatred of restraint.
"Beechcroft, the family residence, is situated four miles from Stowmarket, close to the small village of Sleagill.

After his father's death, the young Sir Alan went for a protracted tour round the world.

Meanwhile his first cousin, Mr.David Hume-Frazer, lived at Beechcroft during the shooting season, and incidentally fell in love with Miss Helen Layton, daughter of the rector of Sleagill, the Rev.Wilberforce Layton." Hume stirred uneasily in his chair, and the barrister paused, expecting him to say something.