will be on show. The Jeweller is already working on the setting. It will look magnificent nestling in that gold frame with sparkling gems surrounding it. Then … I am going to tell the truth.
I am going to introduce you as the artist. I will tell the pathetic story of your father’s encroaching blindness . and say that in his daughter we have an artist worthy to take her place with her ancestors.
”
“Why?”
“Why? Oh come, Mademoiselle Collison. Don’t you see? These are rich people. Many of them will be wanting a Kate Collison. I agree that there might have been prejudice against your sex. But your little deception … although it did not deceive me … has worked satisfactorily.”
I said: “You will do this … for us …”
He smiled at me quizzically.
“I will do it for a great artist,” he said.
I did not want to stand there any longer with that strong light on my face. I did not want him to know how anxious I had been and how happy I was suddenly. And that it was due to him was ironical and hard to accept.
I murmured: “Thank you.”
And turning I went slowly out of the room. He did not attempt to detain me. He stood still and I felt he was watching me.
When I saw the completed miniature in its jewelled frame I felt it was the greatest moment of achievement in my life. My father had been delighted that the deception was at an end, and that the Baron, far from being annoyed, was highly delighted, and was going to proclaim me as the artist at one of his lavish gatherings in the great hall of the castle.
He had talked to my father, commiserated with him on his affliction and congratulated him on having passed on his genius.
My father was happier than he had been since the discovery that he was going blind, and it occurred to me that all this euphoria had come about through the Baron whom I disliked so heartily.
He seemed to take a delight now in arranging our affairs. I was to go to Paris and my father should go home when he left Centeville. There was no longer any need for the deception. From now on woman that I was-I should be accepted as a great painter and respected in the same way that my father and his ancestors had been. He, the Baron, would arrange that.
“Somewhere at the back of my mind I hoped it would turn out like this,” said my father when we were alone.
“I don’t mind losing my sight so much now. You will carry on and the fact that you are a girl is not going to stand in your way. I feel I have done my duty. It is wonderful of him to give this … celebration or whatever it is … to launch you … to introduce you. He is such a powerful man that his word will count for a good deal.”
Bertrand regarded me with some awe.
“Why,” he said, ‘you are more wonderful than ever. I suppose I must be more respectful to you when I speak to you. “
“You must be exactly as you were. I can honestly say it was you who made me feel so comfortable and at ease when I first came to work here. That feeling is necessary, you know, if good work is going to be achieved.”
“Then nothing has changed between us?”
“How could it be?” I asked, and he pressed my hand warmly.
Nicole came to congratulate me.
“The miniature is quite beautiful,” she said.
“A wonderful piece of work. The Baron is delighted.”
“He has told me so.”
“And he does want to … what he calls launch you. He hates to think you may be handicapped by your sex.”
“I was really surprised that he is prepared to take so much trouble,” I said.
“I suppose one shouldn’t…”
She smiled at me. Judge one’s fellow beings? ” she asked.
“No. One certainly should not … until one knows all the circumstances-and it is rare for one person to know all about another. Now for the grand occasion. Rollo has put me in charge of it.
He is going to make an announcement about you and tell them that you are leaving for Paris. You will probably find one or two people will want to make definite
I am going to introduce you as the artist. I will tell the pathetic story of your father’s encroaching blindness . and say that in his daughter we have an artist worthy to take her place with her ancestors.
”
“Why?”
“Why? Oh come, Mademoiselle Collison. Don’t you see? These are rich people. Many of them will be wanting a Kate Collison. I agree that there might have been prejudice against your sex. But your little deception … although it did not deceive me … has worked satisfactorily.”
I said: “You will do this … for us …”
He smiled at me quizzically.
“I will do it for a great artist,” he said.
I did not want to stand there any longer with that strong light on my face. I did not want him to know how anxious I had been and how happy I was suddenly. And that it was due to him was ironical and hard to accept.
I murmured: “Thank you.”
And turning I went slowly out of the room. He did not attempt to detain me. He stood still and I felt he was watching me.
When I saw the completed miniature in its jewelled frame I felt it was the greatest moment of achievement in my life. My father had been delighted that the deception was at an end, and that the Baron, far from being annoyed, was highly delighted, and was going to proclaim me as the artist at one of his lavish gatherings in the great hall of the castle.
He had talked to my father, commiserated with him on his affliction and congratulated him on having passed on his genius.
My father was happier than he had been since the discovery that he was going blind, and it occurred to me that all this euphoria had come about through the Baron whom I disliked so heartily.
He seemed to take a delight now in arranging our affairs. I was to go to Paris and my father should go home when he left Centeville. There was no longer any need for the deception. From now on woman that I was-I should be accepted as a great painter and respected in the same way that my father and his ancestors had been. He, the Baron, would arrange that.
“Somewhere at the back of my mind I hoped it would turn out like this,” said my father when we were alone.
“I don’t mind losing my sight so much now. You will carry on and the fact that you are a girl is not going to stand in your way. I feel I have done my duty. It is wonderful of him to give this … celebration or whatever it is … to launch you … to introduce you. He is such a powerful man that his word will count for a good deal.”
Bertrand regarded me with some awe.
“Why,” he said, ‘you are more wonderful than ever. I suppose I must be more respectful to you when I speak to you. “
“You must be exactly as you were. I can honestly say it was you who made me feel so comfortable and at ease when I first came to work here. That feeling is necessary, you know, if good work is going to be achieved.”
“Then nothing has changed between us?”
“How could it be?” I asked, and he pressed my hand warmly.
Nicole came to congratulate me.
“The miniature is quite beautiful,” she said.
“A wonderful piece of work. The Baron is delighted.”
“He has told me so.”
“And he does want to … what he calls launch you. He hates to think you may be handicapped by your sex.”
“I was really surprised that he is prepared to take so much trouble,” I said.
“I suppose one shouldn’t…”
She smiled at me. Judge one’s fellow beings? ” she asked.
“No. One certainly should not … until one knows all the circumstances-and it is rare for one person to know all about another. Now for the grand occasion. Rollo has put me in charge of it.
He is going to make an announcement about you and tell them that you are leaving for Paris. You will probably find one or two people will want to make definite
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