The Man in Possession

Raymond Dabney returns to London after serving a sentence at Wormwood Scrubs for stealing a motorcar. His mother and the family servant greet him warmly, while his father and brother Claude receive him with wary restraint. The father, who had once sent Raymond to Cambridge, is particularly disappointed, and Claude is anxious to avoid scandal since he is engaged to a wealthy widow. The family offers him £500 to leave the country, but Raymond refuses and leaves the same day.

He secures work as a sheriff's officer and helps a bailiff serve a writ on Crystal Wetherby, a woman in serious debt, taking possession of her property. The bailiff instructs him to remain in Crystal's mansion to watch the seized goods until the next day, while also offering reasonable assistance to the woman. Crystal and her sole remaining servant, Clara, have him stand in for the departed butler.

Crystal reveals that Claude Dabney is her fiancé and is bringing his parents to dinner that night. Claude informs Crystal that her butler has a crooked past, but he does not reveal that they are brothers. Crystal refuses to discharge the butler, insisting on keeping him in place. Sir Charles Cartwright arrives, and Crystal has kept the news of the engagement from him, managing to send him away without meeting the dinner guests.

That night Raymond seduces a willing Crystal, complicating their already fraught relationship. The seduction tightens Raymond's control over the household and heightens the tension among the Dabneys. Crystal's feelings become more tangled as their schemes unfold.

The next morning, Raymond prepares Crystal's breakfast in bed, though Clara insists on delivering it. When Crystal lifts the cover, the bacon is arranged to spell 'LOVE'. Clara notices Crystal's torn chemise and, suspecting Claude, says nothing about it. Crystal remains silent, letting Clara's assumption go unchallenged.

Raymond sabotages Crystal's other relationships by informing Sir Charles of her engagement, causing the generous man to tear up the £1,000 check he planned to give her. The revelation unsettles Crystal's social circle and raises the stakes of the engagement. Raymond's manipulation shows his growing intention to control Crystal's life.

Claude offers Raymond £1,000 to quit England for good in order to spare the family further scandal. Raymond responds by demanding an additional £200 for immediate expenses before he will depart. The negotiation reveals the depth of their entanglement and Raymond's rising resolve.

Raymond produces the writ, proving Crystal is not the wealthy woman she pretends to be. Claude panics and urges Raymond to reveal to Crystal that they are brothers in order to break off the engagement, then hurries away. The plan now depends on Crystal's response to the revealed truth.

Sir Charles Cartwright returns, confessing that his love for Crystal remains strong. Crystal declines his marriage proposal, choosing to remain with Raymond and not pursue the social match he represents.

The bailiff arrives to settle Crystal's debts; Raymond pays off the outstanding amount and collects his wages. He and Crystal discuss a fresh start on a ship bound for a new country, where they could marry away from scrutiny. Crystal, aware of her past but resolute, embraces Raymond as they prepare for departure.