Chapter 52

For all of his success, however, there was a new and difficult situation arising in connection with Aileen that was about to descend on Cowperwood with full force.

Aileen had returned to Paris and was again being entertained and amused by Tollifer and his friends. The fact was, however, that Marigold Brainerd, noting that Aileen favored Tollifer to such an extent that she might even wish to marry him eventually, decided that it was time for her to check this growing interest. Aware of his connection with Cowperwood, she believed she had a weapon that might easily clear the field for her. For Tollifer had confessed as much to her one night on the yachting cruise, when he had had too much to drink. And accordingly at her first opportunity she acted.

It was at a party that Tollifer gave at the studio of one of his friends, a celebration in honor of their return to Paris, that Marigold, having consumed more than her share of alcohol and noting how gayly Aileen was trifling with Tollifer, suddenly turned on her.

“If you knew as much as I do about your friend, you might not be so eager to have him at your heels all the time, ” she said, sarcastically.

“Well, if you know anything that is so certain to annoy me, ” said Aileen, “why don’t you come out with it instead of insinuating? Or is it just your jealousy that is getting the best of you? ”

“Jealousy! Me jealous of Tollifer and you! I happen to know what’s back of all these attentions he’s showering on you, that’s all! ”

Startled and irritated by this sudden assertion, Aileen exclaimed: “Just what are you driving at? Come on, tell me! Otherwise, turn your jealousy on someone else! ”

“Jealousy! How silly! I’m sure it never occurred to you that your attentive friend might be pursuing you for reasons other than your personal charm. And besides, where do you suppose he gets all the money that he spends on you? I’ve known him for years, and he’s never had a shilling of his own, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know. But please come out with what you want to say, ” said Aileen.

“I suggest that you ask Mr. Tollifer, or, better yet, your husband. I’m sure he could enlighten you, ” concluded Marigold, as she edged away from Aileen.

Whereupon, intensely wrought up, Aileen left the room, got her wraps, and returned to her apartment, but not to dismiss the subject from her mind. Tollifer! The peculiar energy with which he had thrust himself into her life! Penniless, and yet spending so much money! And why Cowperwood’s willingness to encourage this friendship between them, even occasionally crossing over to Paris to attend these parties given by Tollifer? The darkest aspect of Marigold’s suggestion suddenly struck her with great force: that he had used this man to clear her out of his life! She must get to the bottom of this; she must know.

Within the hour, Tollifer, having missed her at the party, called her on the telephone, whereupon she demanded that he come to see her at once, there was something she must discuss with him immediately. And, upon his appearance, a stormy scene. Whose idea was it that he should invite her to Paris and pay her so much attention and at the same time spend so much money on her? Her husband’s or his own?

What nonsense! Why should he spend money on her if he did not care for her personally? To which Aileen replied that she heard that he had no money of his own, and never had had any. And, come to think of it, what did he really do to earn money, unless it was for service of some personal nature, such as that of dancing attendance on those who were able to spend their time playing but would not trouble to bother with all the tiresome details? This was an insult that cut him to the bone, since it placed him in the servant class.

“That’s not true, ” he said, weakly.

But there was something in the tone of his voice that made Aileen doubt him, and this awakened a fury in her. To think that any man should stoop to such degrading employment! To think that she, Frank Algernon Cowperwood’s wife, due to her husband’s plotting, should be the victim of it! To be thus publicly displayed as an unwanted wife, one so distasteful to her husband that he had to hire help to get rid of her!

But wait! Here and now, or by tomorrow at the latest, she would show this parasite and trickster, and also her husband, that she was not to be disgraced in this fashion! For here and now, Tollifer’s services, as far as she was concerned, were ended. And Cowperwood was to learn by wire that she was aware of his plotting, and that she was through with him forever; that she was returning to New York to stay in her own home, where she belonged, and that if he attempted to follow her, she would take him into court and expose him in the public press; she would relieve herself once and for all time of his lies, infidelities, and his mental cruelties!

After which, turning to Tollifer, she exclaimed.

“You may go now. Your services to me are ended. I’m returning to New York at once, and if you ever cross my path or annoy me in any way, I’ll see that you are exposed for what you are. Run to Mr. Cowperwood and see if he won’t give you something more respectable to do! ”

With which she walked to the door and opened it for him to depart.