Chapter 21

Meanwhile, though still darkly dubious within the depths of her emotional self, Aileen, throughout all this, could not fail to be impressed by Cowperwood’s sudden change of attitude. For, somewhat ebullient because of the London idea, Berenice, the prospective change of scene, and all, Cowperwood found himself confiding in Aileen. He was taking her with him to England. His will, the stewardship of his house, the guardianship of his contemplated bequests, all arranged themselves in her mind as the rather obvious consequences of his Chicago defeat. Life, as she now saw it, had chosen to deal him a somewhat sobering blow, and at a time in his career when it would naturally be most effective. He had returned to her, or was by way of returning. And this one fact was almost sufficient to restore her faith in love and the validity of other human emotions.

And so she threw herself into extravagant preparations for the journey. She shopped. She visited the dressmaker, the milliner, and the lingerie shops, and luggage of the latest design was purchased. Once more she was demonstrating to her own satisfaction, and to Cowperwood’s by this time accustomed dismay, her exaggerated faith in the effect of lavish display. Informed that they were to occupy the finest suite on the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, sailing on the following Friday, she indulged in lingerie befitting a bride, although well she knew that all intimate relations between herself and her husband were a closed book.

At about the same time, Tollifer, whose plans for meeting Aileen had thus far failed, was greatly relieved to find in his mail a registered envelope containing the deck plans of this same liner, his ticket, and, to his even greater delight and satisfaction, $300 in cash—the effect of which was instantly reflected in Tollifer’s increased enthusiasm and interest for his new assignment. For now he was determined to make a favorable impression on Cowperwood, a man who, as he could see, was well grounded in the business of getting what he wanted from life. And on looking hurriedly through the newspapers he soon verified what he already suspected, which was that the Cowperwoods would also be aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse when it sailed on Friday.

Berenice, having learned from Cowperwood all of his movements thus far, announced her intention of sailing, with her mother, on the Saxonia, a Cunard liner, which left two days ahead of the Kaiser Wilhelm. They would be in London awaiting him at Claridge’s, a hotel with which they were already familiar.

Plagued by the press as to his plans, Cowperwood informed reporters that he and his wife were sailing for the Continent for a long summer vacation; that he was no longer interested in Chicago, and was not, in fact, contemplating any immediate business ventures. This announcement drew much editorial comment regarding his career, his genius, the folly of his retirement in view of his wealth, skill, and strength. He welcomed the publicity, because in addition to coming as an unexpected tribute, at the same time it darkened his movements and gave him ample time to decide on his course.

And thereafter, the day of sailing. And Aileen walking the deck with the air of one to whom supremacy in all things was a mere commonplace.

As for Tollifer, now that he was aboard and faced with his real task, he was both physically and mentally tense. Cowperwood, observing him here and there, paid no least attention to him nor gave any sign of knowing him. Conscious of this, Tollifer paraded the decks, observing Aileen without appearing to, and noting that she observed him, and with interest. She was too showy, too lacking in taste and restraint, to his way of thinking. He occupied a minor stateroom on B deck, but dined at the captain’s table, while Aileen and Cowperwood dined together in their own suite. But the captain, very much aware of the presence of the Cowperwoods and anxious to make capital of the fact for himself as well as the ship, and quickly discovering that Tollifer was a most engaging person, impressed upon him the significance of these distinguished passengers and offered to arrange an introduction to them.

Therefore, on the second day out, Captain Heinrich Schreiber sent his compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Cowperwood, asking if he could be of any service. Perhaps Mr. Cowperwood might like to be escorted over the ship. There were several admirers whom he would like to present, along with himself—at the convenience of Mr. Cowperwood, of course.

Whereupon Cowperwood, sensing the possible machinations of Tollifer, agreed with Aileen that it might be pleasant to receive the interested passengers, and welcomed the arrival of the captain, along with Mr. Wilson Styles, playwright; C. B. Courtright, Governor of Arkansas; Mr. Bruce Tollifer, New York society man; and Alassandra Givens, of the same city, sailing to join her sister in London. Recalling her father as a man of some social importance, and noting that Alassandra was exceedingly attractive, Tollifer had introduced himself to her as a friend of some of her friends, and Alassandra, captivated, was pleased to allow the lie.

The impromptu reception delighted Aileen. As they entered the suite, she rose from a chair in which she had been sitting reading a magazine, and stood beside her husband to greet the party. Cowperwood’s eyes immediately noted Tollifer, also his companion, Miss Givens, whose smart appearance and unmistakable air of breeding impressed him. Aileen quickly singled out Tollifer, who took his introduction to the Cowperwoods as if to total strangers.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet the wife of so remarkable a man as Mr. Cowperwood, ” he told Aileen. “I suppose you are off for the Continent.”

“We’re going to London first, ” replied Aileen, “and later to Paris and the Continent. My husband always has a lot of financial affairs to look after wherever he goes.”

“Quite likely, from all I have read.” He smiled captivatingly. “Living with so versatile a man must be a great experience, Mrs. Cowperwood. By George, almost a business! ”

“You are certainly right there, ” said Aileen. “It is almost a business.” And flattered by her seeming importance, she evoked a confiding smile in return.

“Will you be spending a few days in Paris? ” he queried.

“Oh, yes, indeed! I don’t know just what my husband’s plans will be after he gets to London, but I intend to run over for a few days.”

“I am going to Paris for the races, myself. Maybe I’ll see you there. Perhaps if you are there at the same time and free, we could spend an afternoon together.”

“Oh, that would be delightful! ” Aileen’s eyes were alight because of his interest. The attention of such an attractive man as this must certainly tend to raise her in the esteem of Cowperwood. “But you haven’t talked to my husband. Shall we go over? ” And with Tollifer beside her she walked across the room to where Cowperwood was standing talking with the captain and Mr. Courtright.

“Listen, Frank, ” she said, lightly, “here’s another of your admirers.” And to Tollifer: “I find it’s impossible to keep the spotlight from him, Mr. Tollifer.”

Cowperwood bent on him the blandest of glances, saying: “Well, one can’t have too many admirers. Are you a part of the spring flight to the Continent, Mr. Tollifer? ” There was no least suggestion of acting. And suiting his method to Cowperwood’s, Tollifer smiled and replied easily:

“Yes, I suppose I am. I have friends in London and Paris, and I’ve been thinking of doing some of the watering places later on. A friend of mine has a place in Brittany.” And turning to Aileen, he added: “By the way, you should really see that, Mrs. Cowperwood. It’s very lovely.”

“Well, I’d certainly like to, ” said Aileen, looking at Cowperwood. “Do you suppose our plans could be made to include Brittany this summer, Frank? ”

“Possibly. Hardly for me, though, with all I have to do. Still, we might arrange for a short visit, ” he added, encouragingly. “How long are you to be in London, Mr. Tollifer? ”

“Just at the moment my plans are a little uncertain, ” Tollifer answered, calmly. “It may be a week, or a little longer.”

At this point, Alassandra, bored by Mr. Styles, who was trying to make an impression, came forward, determined to end this visit. She walked up to Tollifer, and said:

“Aren’t you forgetting our engagement, Bruce? ”

“Oh, yes. Will you excuse us? We really must leave.” And turning to Aileen, he added: “I hope we shall see more of each other, Mrs. Cowperwood.”

To which Aileen, venomously irritated by the aloofness and presumptuous manner of this much too attractive young lady, exclaimed: “Oh, yes, indeed, Mr. Tollifer, it will be a pleasure! ” And then noting a supercilious smile on the face of Miss Givens, she added: “Sorry you have to leave, Miss... ah... Miss...” whereupon Tollifer instantly interjected: “Miss Givens.”

“Oh, yes, ” continued Aileen, “I didn’t get the name.”

But Alassandra, dismissing the snub with a lift of her eyebrows, took Tollifer’s arm and, smiling a farewell to Cowperwood, left the room.

Once they were alone, Aileen began at once to unburden her feelings. “I hate these little social upstarts, without a thing except their family connections, so ready to upstage everybody else, or try to, at least! ” she exclaimed.

“But, Aileen, ” soothed Cowperwood, “how often have I told you, everyone makes the most of what he has. In her case, she attaches great significance to her social position, and that’s why she’s so vicious about it. She’s not really important, just silly. Why let her irritate you? Please don’t.”

At the moment he was mentally contrasting Aileen with Berenice. How completely Berenice would have disposed of Alassandra!

“Well, anyhow, ” concluded Aileen, defiantly, “Mr. Tollifer is gracious and charming enough. And his position is quite as good as hers, I should judge. Don’t you think so? ”

“I certainly haven’t any reason to think otherwise, ” replied Cowperwood, inwardly smiling, and yet not so much ironically as sadly, because of Aileen’s simplicity and innocence in regard to all this. “At least Miss Givens appears to admire Mr. Tollifer. So if you accept her as socially somebody, I suppose you will have to accept him in the same way, ” he said.

“Well, he has sense enough to be polite, and that’s more than she has, or almost any woman when it comes to another woman! ”

“The trouble with women, Aileen, is that they are all in the same line of business. Men, or rather their interests, are more diversified.”

“Just the same, I like Mr. Tollifer, and I certainly don’t like that girl at all! ”

“Well, you don’t have to know her. And as for him, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be agreeable to him, if you wish. Remember, I want you to be happy on this trip.” And here he smiled on her engagingly.

Slyly he contemplated her an hour later as she was changing her dress for an afternoon walk on the upper deck. She was now so plainly interested in herself and in life. It was really wonderful, he thought, how much one could accomplish with another by taking due thought and consideration of the other’s weaknesses, tastes, and dreams.

But was it not possible that Berenice was working on him in exactly the same way? She was entirely capable of it. And he would admire her for it as now, in a light way, he was admiring himself.