In their Wisdom by C.P. Snow

1973. Ryle took to spending more time in the House. He was still a sociable man, and was not often alone. Once or twice, though, he reflected that, three years before, he, Sedgwick, and Hillmorton used to sit together in the Bishops' Bar. It would have taken supernormal foresight to predict what was going to happen to them. Hillmorton had looked in vigorous health, and now was dead. Sedgwick, whose state had distressed them, was walking about like a fit man. While to Ryle himself, nothing had happened – except that three years had passed, and nothing was likely to happen now. Ryle was too stoical to protest, like old Skelding, about the justice of this world. Still no one would have foreseen these three personal stories.

There were some who did feel like protesting against the justice of this world, especially when they witnessed Julian flourishing in excelsis. Mrs Underwood's triumph continued but often seemed to her precarious. Julian had become worried about how to safeguard his money. None of the western stock markets were any good, investments were no good: should one buy jewels, pictures, silver? This needed as much cautious thought as his health. He bought a small house in Campden Hill (that might be a safer investment than most), and there allowed Liz to live with him. They entertained very little, since he decided it was a waste of money. Ryle was invited there once, and then not again. He thought that Liz had become thinner, and much more silent. Others, more disinterested, said that at least she had got some of what she wanted.