The Story of Ivy · Chapter
XII explained
Ivy Lexton, reeling from Inspector Orpington's interrogation, strategically implicates Roger Gretorex to deflect suspicion from herself.
What happens
Ivy Lexton, reeling from Inspector Orpington's interrogation, strategically implicates Roger Gretorex to deflect suspicion from herself. After receiving a supportive telegram from Miles Rushworth, she feels emboldened and begins to envision a future as his wife, while remaining unaware of the full consequences of her actions.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
Ivy deliberately misleads Orpington about Gretorex's role, yet she also deceives herself about the safety of her plan.
Beauty and Manipulation
Ivy uses her fragile loveliness to influence Orpington and has historically relied on her allure to secure men's support.
Crime and Justice
The investigation into Jervis's death intensifies, with Orpington reconstructing events and Ivy fearing the legal net closing in.
Characters to notice
- Ivy Lexton
Terrified but cunning during Orpington's interrogation; she deliberately reveals Gretorex's love for her to shift suspicion. Later, Rushworth's telegram brings relief and renewed hope.
- Roger Gretorex
Ivy warns him of the investigation; his truthful nature makes her fear his upcoming interrogation.
- Inspector Orpington
Conducts a probing interview with Ivy, reconstructing the last day of Jervis's life. He is partially swayed by her charm but remains suspicious.
- Miles Rushworth
Sends a telegram offering financial and legal support, which Ivy interprets as a sign of his enduring devotion.
- Nurse Bradfield
Interviewed by Orpington before Ivy; her testimony shapes his initial view of Ivy as frivolous but not criminal.
- Jervis Lexton
Deceased; his final afternoon with Ivy is a focal point of Orpington's inquiry.
Key passages
“She had felt, as she almost always did feel with any man with whom life brought her into temporary contact, that the inspector was beginning to like her and to sympathise with her.”
Ivy sensed that Orpington was starting to warm to her, as she typically did with men she met.
Highlights Ivy's habitual manipulation of male sympathy.
“She saw, with a clear, affrighted, inward vision, that what she had intended should be a molehill was growing into a mountain.”
Ivy realized that her small admission was escalating into a major problem.
Illustrates Ivy's growing panic as her plan backfires.
“Always Ivy Lexton had been sheltered, guarded, lifted over the rough places of life by men—men who had been conquered, pressed into her service, by that alluring quality which means so much more than beauty.”
Ivy had always relied on men, drawn in by her captivating charm, to protect and support her.
Reinforces the theme of beauty and manipulation.