ATDTDA (18): Crudely made to appear as if it had, 499-501

[Paul Nightingale]

Renfrew's "propensity to meddle": earlier his dossiers dealt with "everyone
who had ever crossed his path" (495), but now he is actively intervening,
"beg[inning] a campaign of inducement if not downright seduction" (499), all
of which comes to Yashmeen herself via the Cohen: we have only his word for
Renfrew's actions (Renfrew himself is absent, just as he was from the
Cyprian-Ratty scene, 495 496).

Previously the Cohen demonstrated a "propensity" of his own, for the grand
narrative: see the lengthy monologue on Victoria (230-231). That too
involved his discursive mastery of "the twin professors" (231). Here, what
is striking is the confidence with which he expresses himself, eg: "More
likely he wishes you to work some severe mischief ..." etc (499), or: "...
their allegiance is not to the given world" (500). Positioning himself as
narrator he offers Yashmeen a glimpse of such omniscience. According to the
Cohen the appearance of the book (catalogue?) is "Renfrew's doing". When
explaining how it did appear he "shrug[s]" as though non committal;
subsequently, when she expounds on "the general problem", he supplies an
answer of sorts, indicating that Renfrew's attempted manipulation must
compete against his own. Yashmeen has indicated a desire to align herself
with Hilbert, the man asking the right questions (499): here, the Cohen
draws attention to his ability to provide answers.