‘Go on,’ he laughed. ‘If there’s a real artist, as distinct from the ambitious amateurs, in the class, that’s you.’

‘You haven’t been down to Capel Street to see us for a while,’ she said, affecting a reproving frown. ‘My father isn’t as young as he used to be. He’s really confined to the shop and the house. He needs friends to come to see him. You know there’s always a welcome there for you. From both of us, if you understand my meaning.’

‘I’ll be in to him tomorrow,’ Swallow answered. He fully understood her meaning but he was not going to respond to it. ‘I need to make a purchase.’

He had been mentally grappling with what to do about a ring for Maria. She had continued to wear her wedding ring on her left fourth finger, a silent but unmistakable memorial to her late husband. He would not ask her to displace it. At the same time, he knew it would be necessary to mark their nuptials with a gesture. He had raised the question with Harry Lafeyre over a drink at the Burlington Hotel on St Andrew’s Street.

‘Simple,’ Lafeyre answered. ‘Go for what they’re calling an “engagement ring”. I got one for Lily. You’ve seen it, I’m sure. Often they’re made up around a diamond, but they’re available with other precious stones as well. They’re expensive, but they’re very fashionable among the moneyed classes in London.’

Swallow had indeed noticed the solitaire diamond ring glittering on Lily’s hand on social occasions.

‘It would be a pretty costly item,’ Lafeyre told him, ‘but it would be a nice investment too. The De Beers company has brought a big supply of diamonds into the market straight out of the Kimberley mines in South Africa, so the prices are reasonable, and the stones will go up in value over time. You’ll see them advertised in the newspapers.’

Later he bought a copy of the London Daily Telegraph and found half a dozen display advertisements for ‘engagement rings’ among the classifieds. He did some financial calculations. The Telegraph’s advertisers were mainly London-based, but he guessed that Irish prices should be comparable and certainly not higher. And he remembered that Greenberg’s displayed trays of rings under its glass showcase counters. He would see what was on offer. Ephram was sure to see him right both on quality and price.

‘A purchase?’ Catherine looked surprised. ‘Don’t tell me you’re going to start investing in fine art.’

Before he could answer, Lily Grant took her place at the top of the classroom and clapped her hands, bringing the class of perhaps a dozen students to silence.

‘Good afternoon, everybody. It’s encouraging to see the loyal few who’ve braved it through the terrible weather.’

She smiled.