The haunting hand

Margot Anstruther spends an October evening arranging the tiny roof‑garden above her New York lodging, a sanctuary of lanterns, palm pots and a South‑American hammock that she and her friend Gene Valery have fashioned together. In her room, a brass bed hidden behind a screen, oriental rugs over a faded carpet, and shelves piled with everything from Kipling to Dante hint at a mind that craves both elegance and intellectual variety. The atmosphere is lush with the scent of fresh autumn air, the glow of candles, and the quiet anticipation of guests about to arrive.

Her guests are the eclectic crew of the nearby Superfilm Company—director Frederick Stoner with his pale eyes, May Cheshire, the bright‑eyed aspiring actress, and Lulu Leinster, a Texan beauty who has already made a splash in the studio. As Margot prepares for their visit, she reflects on the unexpected path that led her from a scientific ambition to a thriving career on the emerging screen, feeling both confident in her talent and curious about where this newly chosen stage will take her.