Lady With Carnations - A. J.Cronin
Lady With Carnations - A. J.Cronin
Lady With Carnations - A. J.Cronin
Cronin
LadywithCarnations
A.J.CRONIN|14MINS
ThatwetNovemberafternoonitwastheHolbeinminiaturewhichhaddrawnthedealers
toVernons,forthesaleheldnothingcomparableinvalueorimportance.Theminiature,
sentsomewhatunexpectedlyfromWroxonAbbeybytheKnellerfamily,wasthat
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 1/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
knownpopularlyasLadywithCarnations,apiecebothexquisiteandremarkable,
combininginitssubjectitwasatinyportaitofMlledeQuercy,daughterofthe
AmbassadortoHenryVIIIanditsdateabout1532,shortlyafterHolbeinsreturnto
LondonfromBaselthebestmannerandthefinestperiodofthemaster.
Thelonggallerywascrowdedwhenatexactlyhalfpastfourtheminiaturecameup.
Biddingbegan,withakindofderisivecourtesy,attwothousandguineasmounted
rapidlytofivethousandstoppedamoment,thenrushedtoseven,waveredagainthen
rose,withthatalternaterhythmwhichindicatestheeliminationofallbuttwopowerful
competitors,tothesumofninethousand,fourhundredguineas.Hereithalted.
Ninethousandandfourhundredguineas.
Theauctioneer,occupyingthehighredrostrumwithalertsuavity,hishairprecisely
parted,hispearlpinneatlysheathedinhisdarktie,repeatedthefigurepersuasively
whilehisglanceremainedfixedontheimpassivelyavertedfaceofBernardRubin.Yet
Rubin,thoughthebidwasnowagainsthim,seemedloathtoadvanceuponit.
Eventually,however,hishoodedeye,hardlyvisiblebeneaththehardrimofhisbowler
hat,flickeredwithakindofsourperversity,andatoncetheauctioneermurmured:
Ninethousand,fivehundredguineas.
Immediatelytherecameanalmostimperceptiblesignalfromtheoppositesideofthe
room.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 2/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Ninethousand,sixhundred,remarkedtheauctioneerblandly.
Ninethousand,sevenhundred!Rubinwentforwardgrimly,butagainthesigncame
upagainsthim.
Ninethousand,eighthundredguineas,declaredtheauctioneer,andleanedagain
towardsRubin.
ButthistimeRubinhadclearlyfinished,hislimitalreadypassed,hisexpressionnow
stoicallydissociatedfromtheproceedings.IfonethinghadbroughtoldBernardRubin
uptopintheantiquetrade,itwashisfacultyofknowingwhentostop.
Atninethousand,eighthundredguineas,repeatedtheauctioneer,hisgazesweeping
thecrowdedroom.Asilence.
Forthelasttime,atninethousand,eighthundredguineas.Anothersilence,portentous
andfinal,terminatedbythesharptapofthehammer.Soldatninethousand,eight
hundredguineasMissLorimer.
KatharineLorimerroseunobtrusivelyfromherseatatthelongtableandmadeherway
towardstheopendoubledoorattheendoftheloftyroom.Severalofthedealers,
steppingbackpolitelybeforeherpassage,murmuredtheircongratulations,butbeyonda
faintsmileshedidnotseemtoheedthem.Shewould,infact,havefounditdifficultto
answeratthatmoment,for,despitethehardihoodwhichexperiencehadbroughther,
shefeltherpulsethrobbingpainfullyfromthetensionofthoselastinterminable
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 3/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
seconds.Shehadsetherheartontheminiature,andanotherbidfromRubinwouldhave
beatenher.
Descendingthesteps,oldBernardjoinedherandstumpedalongbesideherinan
enigmaticsilence.Hiscar,ablackandsilverContinentalmodel,extremelylargeand
costlyBernardhadnotfailedtoinformeveryoneofitspricestoodatthekerb
outside.OnthedoorstepKatharineandRubinpaused,metbythesoundandmovement
ofthetraffic,bythebrightnessandtheharshmutterofLondon,whichmadetheauction
roomseemremoteandquiteunreal.
Notgoingmyway?Rubinasked,whichwashismannerofofferingheralift.
Itwasnownearlyfive,andKatharineonasuddenimpulsedecidednottoreturnto
businessbuttogohome.Shenoddedthen,caughtbyawaftofrainandfog,she
shiveredslightlyandsteppedquicklyintothecar.
KingStreetwasbadenough,butPiccadillylayhelpless,chokedwithomnibusesand
taxicabs.AsthecarslidandstoppedandslidagaintowardsCurzonStreet,Rubins
hoodedeyesbeneaththeirmarkedSemiticbrowswerefixedonKatharinewithaqueer
ironicshrewdness.
Yougavetoomuch,MissLorimer,hesaidatlength.
Youmeantoomuchforyou,MrRubin?
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 4/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Rubinlaughedsoftly.Maybe,maybe!heagreedwitheasyopulence,pausingto
admiretheperfectsolitaireonthelittlefingerofhislefthand.Thingsmustbepretty
goodwithyouwhenyoucanrunsohigh.Eh,MissLorimer?
Oh,notsobad.Katharinestonewasperfectlyoffhand.
Ah,well,thatsfine!Thatsmarvellous!Especiallywhentherestofusinthetradeare
feelingthingssohard.Nomoneyabout,noclients,nothingdoinganywhere.Butyou
youcanupandpaytenthousandforaleetlebitofHolbein.Justlikethat!Why,its
almosttoogoodtobetrue.
Katharineslipspartedtospeak,butclosedagain.Insteadshesmiledherfaintreserved
smile,whichseemedalmosttoimposeagreaterreticenceuponher,andsatbackinher
corner,staringstraightahead.Thedecisionandcomposurewhichalwaysmarkedher
becameintensifiedyet,strangely,beneaththisreposetherelay,itseemed,asenseof
quickimpulsivenessheldfirmlyincheckandintheseriousdarknessofhereyesthere
wererichpointsoflightwhichlurkedandtrembledonthebrinkofvividlife.Butinthe
mainherexpressionwassad,andherwideforeheadborealine,asthoughinthepast
shehadknownmomentsofgreatdifficultyandperplexity.Herfeaturesandcolouring,
herbrownhairandwarmbrowneyesinthepaleovalofherface,werebeautiful.Her
teethweresowhitethattheygavefreshnesstoevenherslightestsmile.Shewasnot
morethanthirtyfive.Andyetthatsettledgravity,thatsenseofselfcontrol,herairof
contemplatingsomeremoteandabstractobject,madeheraloofandsometimeseven
formidable.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 5/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Herdress,aplaindarkwoollen,hadclearlybeenchosencarelesslyandinahurry,and
herhat,whichsatalittlebackonherhead,wasinexpensiveanddidnotmatch.Itwas
apparentshehadnointerestinherclothes.Buthershoes,handmadeandofafine
leather,reflectedjustthefaintestvanityinherslender,beautifulfeet.
Ofcourse,remarkedRubinslyly,ifyoucaredtotakeaprofit,sayasuretenper
cent,andallnicequickreadycash
Katharineshookherheadbrusquely.Thankyou,MrRubin.ButwhenIpartwiththat
Holbein,itllbeforrealmoney.
Realmoney.Itdontexistanymore.Atleastnothere.No,no!Rubingrinned,
parodyingapopularsong.Youwontfindthattherehere.
Perhapsnot,Katharinefacedhim.Nowlisten,MrRubin,andstopcrackingatme.
ImtakingtheminiaturetoNewYorknextmonth.AndwhenIgetthere,Imsellingit
toBrandt.HesintheArgentinejustnow,buthellbebackonDecember12th.Hes
buyingtheHolbein.Hesbuyingitfrommefortwentythousandpounds.
Ah,Brandtsothatsthegamble,Rubinreflectedwithasuddenaccessofrespect.
Well,youreacleverwoman,mydear,but,onmyword,ifitwasme,Iwouldnttake
therisk!
Icanaffordtotakeit,answeredKatharinepleasantly.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 6/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Justso.Rubinnoddedlikeamandarin.Justso,mydear,youknowyourown
positionbetterthanIdo.
Hedartedanotherglancetowardsher,wingedwithinquiryandacertainunwilling
regard,buttheblankseverityintowhichherfeaturesagainrelapsedhadalready
dismissedthesubjectfinally.SilencefellinsidethecarandcontinueduntilRubin,asif
anxioustoeraseanawkwardimpression,changedthesubject.
Thatlittleactressnieceofyours,NancySherwood,howsshegettingalong?
Katharineturnedatonce,herfacetransformed,investedwithavividinterest.First
rate,MrRubin.Shesjustbecomeengaged.
Well,well.Whostheluckyman?
Katharineslipstwitched.Ishallknowtonight.Iminvitedtoapartytomeethim,if
youplease.Itsreallyincrediblethewaythingshappennowadays.Ratherdifferentfrom
whenIwasyoung.
Butyouareyoung,mydear,interposedRubindeftly.
Oh,bosh!YouknowwhatImean.HeresNancygoesouttoNiceforafortnightsrest
beforeshestartsinhernewshowandcomesbacktrailingherfuturehusbandasifhe
wereanewhandbag.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 7/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Well,well,thingsmoveprettyfastnow,Rubinchuckled.Butitstheoldideas
behindthemallthetime.
AsthecarswungintoCurzonStreetandcametorestoppositeKatharinesflat,Rubin
tookonelastslythrustather.
LooksasiftheHolbeinmightmaybecomeinhandyafterall!
Hepattedherhandassherosetogo.
Ifyoudontsellit,whynotgiveitasaweddingpresent?
Withtheblandmockerybuzzinginherears,Katharineturnedtowardsherapartment,
oneofablockofservicesuperflatsrecentlyerectedonthissite.Theairconditioned
luxuryandalmostbaroquemagnificenceofthebuildingwereoffensivetohertaste,yet
shefoundthisspotconvenientforherbusiness,anditaffordedher,moreover,that
implacablenecessityofherprofession,agoodaddress.Adoormanadmittedherand
conductedhertotheelevator,whileanother,equallybraided,shothertothesixthfloor
andobsequiouslybowedherout.
Though,rememberingheroriginsandsimplicityofhabit,Katharineneverceasedto
wonderatherselfinsuchsurroundingsandoften,indeed,drewasecret,childishjoy
fromthecontemplationofsuchdiverseobjectsastheautomaticmailchutesorthe
flunkiescalves,tonightherattentionwasotherwiseengrossed.Shereflectedwitha
heavyfrownonRubinsrecentremarks,askingherselfhowmuchtheoldfoxreally
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 8/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
knewofherfinancialdifficultiesandadmittingwithanunconscioussighthatalthough
heprobablyknewnothing,hecertainlydivinedtheworst.
Theminuteshewaswithinherowndoorherexpressionrelaxedfurtherandbecameat
oncewearyandharassed.Shepermittedherselftoconsiderthatshehadhadadreadful
day,withaworryingandunprofitableclientatthestart,hardlyanylunchatthemiddle
ofit,andthemadadventureoftheminiatureattheendofit.Herheadached
abominably,andheroverdrivenbodyfeltlightandgiddy.Inonenervousgestureshe
toreoffherhatandflungit,withherglovesandbag,uponthecouch.Thenshewent
intothelittlekitchenettetomakesometeaand,withacertaindetermination,toboil
herselfanegg.
Fifteenminuteslater,asshesatatthechillylittlezincbenchinthetinypantry,
confrontedbytheemptycupandeggshell,theabsurdbathosofthethingstruckher.She
paidfourhundredpoundsayearinrentalforthisplacealone,andanothersixhundred
forherbusinesspremises.Shehadjustexpendedtenthousanduponaminiature.And
herdinnerhadcostapproximatelyfourpence.Shelaugheduntiltearsfilledhereyes,but
theywerebittertears,andhadshepermittedthemtooverflow,shemusthavebroken
downandwept.
Backinhersittingroomaquietapartment,sparselyyetrestfullyfurnishedwithafew
tastefulpiecesKatharinekickedoffhershoes,curledherselfupinachair,andlita
cigarette.Shesmokedseldom,onlywhenshewasveryhappyorverysad,andtonight
hersenseofdesolationwaslimitless.Latelybusinesshadbeendamnable.Theantique
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 9/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
tradewaslikethatitcameandwentinwaves.Shehadriddenhighontheboomtimes
liketherestofthem,andnowshewaswallowingalmosthopelesslyintheslump.She
wasfighting,ofcourse,andwouldeventuallywinthough.Everypossibleeconomyhad
beeneffected.ThoughshecouldnotescapetheobligationsofherleasesatCurzon
StreetandKingStreet,shehadlaiduphercarandcutherpersonalexpensestothe
bone.Yetitwashardandbittergoing.
Resolutelysherefusedtoreexaminetheintricaciesofherfinancialposition.Monday
wouldbetimeenoughforthat,whenshewentdownagaintoseeMrFarraratthebank.
Besides,tonighthermelancholywasdeeperandmorepersonal.Shefeltsodesperately
alone.Shestood,intheeyesofherrelativesandfriendsindeed,intheeyesofthe
worldforthatgreatthing,success.Hermindflashedbacktoherbeginnings,andshe
sawherselfatsixteen,freshfromcouncilschoolandhersemidetachedhomeinTulse
Hill,atimidlittletypistwithTwissandWardrops,HouseholdFurnishing,DuckCourt,
HighHolborn.Shehadbeenadmittedtothatgimcrackwarehousebecauseherfather
knewoneofthepartners,azealousNonconformistlikehimselfyetshehadtrembled
despitetheintroductionatMrTwisssveryword,andquailedatMrWardropsfrown.
Lifehadchangedforhersincethen.NowshewasAntikaofKingStreet,StJamess,
andParkAvenue,NewYork,famousforhertasteanddcor,aspecialistinperiod
reconstruction,inbijouterieandthefinearts,perhapsthebestknownwomanantique
dealerintheworld.Howhadthishappened?Ithadhappened,shereflectedsombrely,
becauseshehadwilledittohappen,becauseshehadsetherselfgrimlytohaveacareer,
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 10/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
sacrificingeverythingfiercely,ruthlesslysteelingthatyouthfultimidheartto
unbelievablehardshipsandeffrontery.Shehadwantedatallcoststobesomeone.Well,
itwasdonenow.Shehadachievedherambition,andoh,howhollowdidshefindits
vanity!
Thetelephoneatherelbowrang.Withatiredreflex,sinceoneofthecomplicationsof
herlifewastobeperpetuallyatthemercyofthisinstrument,shereachedoutforthe
receiver.
Itwashermother,ringingfromWimbledon,fromthesnugvillainwhichKatharinehad
installedherfiveyearsbefore.
Yourethere,Katharine.EvenoverthewireoldMrsLorimersvoiceachievedthe
summationoftribulationandlongsufferingneglect.Well,Imluckythistime,fora
wonder.IneverseemtogetyouthesedayswhenIringup.Youneverseemtohavea
momenttospeaktoyourpooroldmother.Never,never!
DidntIringyoulastnight,mother?Katharinemadetheinquirytolerantly.
Well,whatifyoudid?answeredtheoldladypeevishly.Hello,hello!Canyouhear
me?
Yes,mother,Icanhearyou.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 11/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Thatsright,then,dontgoaway.Ivelotstosaytoyou.Justwaitaminute.Iwroteit
onapieceofpaper.Nowwheresmyglasses?Blessme,Ivegotthemon!Now,firstof
all,yourecomingdownthisweekend,arentyou,withNancyandhernewyoung
man?
Yes,werecoming.
Thatsright,mydear.Nowlisten!Iwantyoutobringmedownjustafewlittlethings:
wool,sugaralmonds,chocolatecake,andanicenewnovel.Remembermysugar
almondsespecially,Katharineyouknow,thekindyougetmeatFortnums.Oh,and
whileIthinkofit,youcanfetchmesomeanchovypastewhenyoureinthere,too.I
likealittleonmytoastthesewintereveningssomehowitmakesteasocosybythefire.
Andlisten,Katharineareyoulistening,mydear?ItsthreeplygreywoolIwantfor
mynewshawl,incaseIdidntmentionit.
Katharine,listeningpatiently,nowsmiledfaintly.Allright,mother.Illattendtoyour
orders.
Orders,indeed!Insensiblytheagedvoicetookonanoffendednote.Youreblaming
meforaskingforafewsimplenecessities!Really,Katharine,howyoucanscoldyour
pooroldmotherlikethatpasseshumanunderstanding.Ifyourfatherwerealive
AtthefamiliarinvocationtothegraveKatharinetookaquickgripofherself.Hastily
shesaid:Comenow,mother.YouknowIdidntmeananything.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 12/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
Apause.
Yourenotcrosswithme?
Ofcoursenot,mother.
Well.Alittlesighofappeasementcameoverthewire.Thatsasitshouldbe,then.
Canyouhear?Hello,hello,thatimpudentgirlattheexchangeisgoingtocutusoff
again.Goodnight.Godblessyou,mydear.Anddontforgetmysugaralmonds.
Katharinehungupthereceiverwithashakeofherhead.Thoughherdearmotherwas
morecomfortablethanevershehadbeeninherlife,withherownestablishmentand
everythingsherequired,shehad,nevertheless,aperpetualsenseofbeingmisused.She
lovedagrievance.Oftenshecouldbetryingbeyondendurance.
Butnow,withaquickglanceattheclock,Katharineputherworriesresolutelyfromher
mind.Shegotup,wentintothebathroom,andturnedonthetaps.Thoughshedidnotin
theleastfeellikegoingouttonight,nothingintheworldwouldmakeherdisappoint
Nancy.Quickly,carelessly,sheflungoffherclothesandsteppedintothebath.
Asshelayintheclear,unscentedwater,revivingunderitswarmth,shethoughtofher
niece,andinstinctivelyherfrowndissolved,whileherlipscurvedinasmileof
tenderness.SheadoredNancy,thedaughterofhereldersisterGrace,whohadmarried
JoeSherwoodagainsthermotherswishes,livedwithhimhappilyforfifteenyears,then
justifiedthoseforgottenpropheciesandforebodingsbydyingwithhiminstantlyand
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 13/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
ingloriouslyinamotorsmashontheGreatWestRoad.Eversincethattragicday
KatharinehadtakenchargeofNancy,thenalankygirloffourteen,lavishingeverycare
uponher,completinghereducation,helpingherlatertostudyattheSchoolofDramatic
Art,evenyieldingindulgentlytwelvemonthsagotoherurgentwishtogoonthestage.
Yet,despitethisrecordofdevotion,Katharinehadasharpwaywiththosewhohinted
thatshespoiledherniecenothingwastoogoodforNancy,thefinest,dearestgirlin
theworld.
Itseemedstrangetothinkofherasgrownupnow,returningfromtheRivierawiththis
calmannouncementofherengagement.Andyetitwasgood,thebestthingthatcould
happentoher,tobesettledquickly,toenjoythebestofherlifewithherhusbandand
herchildren.ThatwasKatharineswishforNancyandtonight,forsomequeerreason,
shewisheditwithherwholeheart.
Rising,Katharinerubbedherselfbrisklywitharoughtowelwhileherfinewhiteskin
glowedrespondingly.Subconsciouslyshecouldnothelpathoughtofgratitudeforher
healthybody,withoutwhichshecouldneverhavewithstoodtheburdensandbuffetings
oftheselastfewyears.
Shedressedmoreslowlythanusual,choosingafrockshehadboughtduringherlast
visittoParis.OrdinarilyclotheswereofscantimportancetoKatharine.Shetoldherself
bluntlyshehadneithercausenortimeforbrilliantplumage,andoftenindeedshewent
downrightshabbyanattitudegenerallyacceptedwithasmileasthewilfulnessofa
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 14/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
rich,successfulwoman.Buttonight,withrisingspirits,shefeltshemustmakeherself
presentableforNancy.
Athalfpasteight,seatedbeforethesmallVauxhallmirroronherdressingtable,she
wasready,andshedecided,asshestudiedherreflection,thatdespitethehecticworries
ofthedayshemightpass.Afewlineslaybeneathhereyes,buthercomplexion,freeof
allmakeup,wasfreshandclear.Andthefinecolourofherlips,incontrasttothe
whitenessofherteeth,bespokeacleanandvigorousblood.
Outside,therainhadceased,andthepavements,scoureddrybyakeenwind,inviteda
bracingwalk.OnsuchanightKatharinelikednothingbetterthantostepoutthrough
thequieterstreets,herbodyinclinedtomeetthebreeze,hercheekstinglingfromher
ownbriskpassage.Butforonce,respectinghereveningshoesandtheproprieties,she
resistedthetemptation.ShetookataxitotheAdelphi,where,atthetopofanoldAdam
houseoffJohnStreet,Nancyhadherrooms.
Therewasnoliftinthebuilding,whichinitslowerfloorswasgivenovermainlyto
legaloffices,andasKatharineclimbedthewornstonestepsthatcircledbetweenhigh
stuccoedwalls,theunmistakablepromiseofthepartycametowardsher.Indeed,when
shewasadmitted,passingthroughthehandsofNancysownsmartmaidandaformal
manservantevokedonsuchoccasions,thebigdoubleroomwasalreadyfullofpeople,
cigarettesmoke,andnoise.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 15/16
6/17/2017 LadywithCarnationsA.J.Cronin
ThemomentKatharineentered,Nancycameforwardwithalittleoutstretchedsignof
welcomeandkissedher.
Oh,Katharine,shesaid,itstoomarvelloustoseeyouagain.Ivebeendyingto,for
days.
Katharinesmiled.Thenwhydidntyoucomeround?YougotbackonWednesday.
Iknow,darling,Iwantedtomostfrightfully,but,oh,heavens,youdontknowhow
rushedIvebeenwiththenewshowinrehearsal,andclothes,andChrisand
everything.
Iunderstand.
KatharinegazedaffectionatelyatNancy,thinkinghowattractiveshelookedtonight.
Thoughshewasonlytwentyfour,shehadamostfinished,akindofstreamlined,
beauty.Herfacewaslovely,rathertaut,withhighcheekbones,slightlyslantingblue
eyes,andthinlypencilledbrows.Herhairwaslovely,toowashedtothelatestblonde
shade,itgleamedlikespungold.Hermouthwasthinandscarlet,foruponitNancyhad
notsparedherlipstick.Herslenderfigure,underapretenceofindolence,heldanodd
intensitythatwasquiteelectric.
http://extracts.panmacmillan.com/extract?isbn=9781447243953 16/16