argued, he thought they could work things out to their mutual satisfaction.
Since she seemed satisfied to let the matter rest for the present, he took out his watch and remarked that he had just enough time to catch the train; he would see her again on his return. And, calmed down considerably by this time, she accompanied him to the door, and then returned to consult the newspapers which previously she had been reading.
Chapter 55
The visit to Chicago was important enough, involving, as it did, negotiations for a loan or investment of $5,000,000. And then there was Sippens to see for a report as to the gradual disposal of his real estate holdings.
Another matter that required his attention was a recent lawsuit against one of the large traction companies of Chicago, which, several years before, had taken over two of the elevated lines which Cowperwood had originally built and operated. However, once he had withdrawn from Chicago and gone to London, these lines, due to poor management, had not only lost the income that previously had flowed from an excellent public patronage, but had since been confronted by a tremendous deficit that had wiped out all interest on stocks still held by investors. In fact, it was locally asserted that nothing in the history of public service corporations had shown such an utter collapse as this particular traction company. And since this loss was blamed on Cowperwood, it had become necessary for him to make clear to investors that the fault was not his, that it was due to mismanagement by those who had taken over the property: a clarification that later caused him to be called a “financial wizard” instead of a “sharper,” because at the time he had operated the lines it was a well-known fact that he paid an 8 to 12 per cent dividend on stocks in his company. So now, in addition to securing the $5,000,000 he had come to borrow, he left with his reputation greatly enhanced.
However, there was one unexpected incident in connection with this Chicago trip, and that was the reappearance of Lorna Maris, who, because of newspaper notices of his presence in the city, sought him out in the hope of reviving his interest in her. But this thought of hers was doomed to disappointment, because his mood had changed for the time being, and he was anxious to get back to New York, and, eventually, to Berenice. Noticing, however, that her clothes reflected a less successful state of affairs than when he had last seen her, he was moved to inquire into her life, and finding that her popular appeal had shrunk and her income also, he did pretend an interest in her welfare, and assured her that he would arrange a stable drawing account for her, and furthermore would see what he could do toward interesting a theatrical producer in her career: a series of favors which effectively rekindled her original courage and gaiety.
But once he was aboard the train and it had begun to move past Lorna as she stood on the platform waving a final and wistful farewell, he could not help thinking on the changeful crisscross pattern woven by all creatures and forces. For here he was, being attacked by these Chicago stockholders and at the same time watched by the daily press, as well as Aileen in New York, and, for that matter, the beautiful Berenice in London, who, reasonably enough, did not trust him any more than did Aileen. And yet, for what reason? Emotions, sensual predilections, reactions to other types of human beings, which were not of his invention or creation.
Clack, clack, clack! went the wheels on the rails. Too-hooo! Too-hooo! the whistle of the engine. And a level landscape flowing, not unlike time, past the window through which he gazed, reflecting dreamily on life, time and change.
Chapter 56
When Cowperwood went to see Aileen in New York on his return, he met with a pleasant surprise, for since he had been away she had been thinking about the value of his suggestions in regard to possible enlargement of the house, and his expressed desire to consider her taste in regard to the alterations. This had pleased her beyond anything he could have said. Consequently, she brought forth several drawings, designs, and color arrangements which already she had had prepared by the architect and now wished him to examine.
He was pleased to see that Raymond Pyne, the American architect who had designed this mansion in the first place, had produced a series of sketches of proposed changes which harmonized the old house with the new. Aileen emphasized the fact that she liked this, that, and the other phase of artistic interpretation. And deciding that he would see Pyne and advise him to take his time in the matter, he finally left her with the feeling that she was to be importantly employed in connection with something that would not only reflect their joint artistic tastes but might well bring about their social reunion.
Nevertheless, adjusting himself to New York and America at this time was not an easy matter for Cowperwood. His social viewpoint, since going to London, had changed. It was not that the English were less shrewd or sharp in their efforts to advance their own interests. But, as he had noticed since encountering Stane, Johnson, and their associates, there was an almost unconscious consideration of the need of interweaving rest or pleasure with their commerce and trade, whereas here at home, business was business, as the phrase ran.
Ever since his arrival in New York there had been nothing but business dealings. There seemed to him nothing else interesting to do here, and it was because of this that his mind was constantly returning to Berenice and Pryor’s Cove, although he still found it necessary to visit all of the cities he had listed as sources for capital— hurried trips all over the east that left him feeling more or less exhausted. For the first time in his life he began to think rather than feel that he might be getting old. Satisfactorily enough, however, this situation was finally relieved by the arrival of an urgent cable from Johnson, which said that owing to the activity of various pressure groups, his presence was of paramount import.
He showed the cable to Aileen, and after she had read it she commented on the weariness which showed in his face and warned him to remember that his health, after all, was of prime importance, and, if possible, he ought to wind up his European affairs and retire. He replied that he had already been thinking of that, and in order to make it easier for her in his absence had appointed Mr. Cuthbert to take charge of his entire art collection, because he was one in whose judgment he had confidence.
In the meantime, Berenice was beginning to wonder when he would return. She was finding herself, as time went on, more and more lonely without him. Although Lord Stane had taken her to various receptions and evening parties to meet more of his friends, and even to a reception at Court, she missed Cowperwood in some strange, inexplicable way. He was such a dominant force in her life, a power that dwarfed the social atmosphere surrounding Lord Stane. For while she found Stane a warm and attractive companion, on returning to the quiet of Pryor’s Cove she always joined Cowperwood again in thought and mood as well as emotion. What was he doing, whom seeing? Would he become interested again in Lorna Maris? Or someone new? Or would he return to her as he had left her: obviously in love with her? And would Aileen return with him, or had he placated her sufficiently to cause her to give him a period of rest?
The jealousy of women! Her own jealousy, where he was concerned!
And after all he had done for her! Not only for her but for her mother! It was he who had paid for her schooling, and after that had given her a beautiful New York house on fashionable Park Avenue.
Mentally and philosophically, Berenice was more of a cold, realistic turn than otherwise, and just before Cowperwood had been compelled by Aileen’s threats to return to New York, she had about made up her mind that if no too great ill flowed to herself from this last assault of Aileen’s, she might be more gracious to Lord Stane than up to now she had been. For plainly, he was deeply infatuated with her; he had even led her to believe that he was entertaining the thought of marriage.
If I only cared enough, she thought at this time. If only he was less conventional, not so English. She had heard that there was no law in England to prevent him from divorcing a wife who had deceived him by fraud—such as she would be guilty of if she married him—and this possibility, throughout Cowperwood’s absence, kept her silent and semidistant, thinking of her social state in case Aileen should choose to act.
However, her anxiety was gradually relieved by the day to day silence on the part of the London press, and also by a letter from Cowperwood in which he outlined his various difficulties, among them his sudden reduction in
