the titan-第69章
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such cases； circumstances were to help decide for her； and； unquestionably； a portion of this truth was in her mind as she was shown gallantly to her door by Taylor Lord。
Chapter XXXIII
Mr。 Lynde to the Rescue
The interested appearance of a man like Polk Lynde at this stage of Aileen's affairs was a bit of fortuitous or gratuitous humor on the part of fate； which is involved with that subconscious chemistry of things of which as yet we know nothing。 Here was Aileen brooding over her fate； meditating over her wrongs； as it were； and here was Polk Lynde； an interesting； forceful Lothario of the city； who was perhaps as well suited to her moods and her tastes at this time as any male outside of Cowperwood could be。
In many respects Lynde was a charming man。 He was comparatively youngnot more than Aileen's own ageschooled； if not educated； at one of the best American colleges； of excellent taste in the matter of clothes； friends； and the details of living with which he chose to surround himself； but at heart a rake。 He loved； and had from his youth up； to gamble。 He was in one phase of the word a HARD and yet by no means a self…destructive drinker； for he had an iron constitution and could consume spirituous waters with the minimum of ill effect。 He had what Gibbon was wont to call 〃the most amiable of our vices；〃 a passion for women； and he cared no more for the cool； patient； almost penitent methods by which his father had built up the immense reaper business； of which he was supposedly the heir； than he cared for the mysteries or sacred rights of the Chaldees。 He realized that the business itself was a splendid thing。 He liked on occasion to think of it with all its extent of ground…space； plain red…brick buildings； tall stacks and yelling whistles； but he liked in no way to have anything to do with the rather commonplace routine of its manipulation。
The principal difficulty with Aileen under these circumstances； of course； was her intense vanity and self…consciousness。 Never was there a vainer or more sex…troubled woman。 Why； she asked herself； should she sit here in loneliness day after day； brooding about Cowperwood； eating her heart out； while he was flitting about gathering the sweets of life elsewhere？ Why should she not offer her continued charms as a solace and a delight to other men who would appreciate them？ Would not such a policy have all the essentials of justice in it？ Yet even now； so precious had Cowperwood been to her hitherto； and so wonderful； that she was scarcely able to think of senous disloyalty。 He was so charming when he was niceso splendid。 When Lynde sought to hold her to the proposed luncheon engagement she at first declined。 And there； under slightly differing conditions； the matter might easily have stood。 But it so happened that just at this time Aileen was being almost daily harassed by additional evidence and reminders of Cowperwood's infidelity。
For instance； going one day to call on the Hagueninsfor she was perfectly willing to keep up the pretense of amity in so long as they had not found out the truthshe was informed that Mrs。 Haguenin was 〃not at home。〃 Shortly thereafter the Press； which had always been favorable to Cowperwood； and which Aileen regularly read because of its friendly comment； suddenly veered and began to attack him。 There were solemn suggestions at first that his policy and intentions might not be in accord with the best interests of the city。 A little later Haguenin printed editorials which referred to Cowperwood as 〃the wrecker；〃 〃the Philadelphia adventurer；〃 〃a conscienceless promoter；〃 and the like。 Aileen guessed instantly what the trouble was； but she was too disturbed as to her own position to make any comment。 She could not resolve the threats and menaces of Cowperwood's envious world any more than she could see her way through her own grim difficulties。
One day； in scanning the columns of that faithful chronicle of Chicago social doings； the Chicago Saturday Review； she came across an item which served as a final blow。 〃For some time in high social circles；〃 the paragraph ran； 〃speculation has been rife as to the amours and liaisons of a certain individual of great wealth and pseudo social prominence； who once made a serious attempt to enter Chicago society。 It is not necessary to name the man； for all who are acquainted with recent events in Chicago will know who is meant。 The latest rumor to affect his already nefarious reputation relates to two womenone the daughter； and the other the wife； of men of repute and standing in the community。 In these latest instances it is more than likely that he has arrayed influences of the greatest importance socially and financially against himself； for the husband in the one case and the father in the other are men of weight and authority。 The suggestion has more than once been made that Chicago should and eventually would not tolerate his bucaneering methods in finance and social matters； but thus far no definite action has been taken to cast him out。 The crowning wonder of all is that the wife； who was brought here from the East； and whoso rumor has itmade a rather scandalous sacrifice of her own reputation and another woman's heart and home in order to obtain the privilege of living with him； should continue so to do。〃
Aileen understood perfectly what was meant。 〃The father〃 of the so…called 〃one〃 was probably Haguenin or Cochrane； more than likely Haguenin。 〃The husband of the other〃but who was the husband of the other？ She had not heard of any scandal with the wife of anybody。 It could not be the case of Rita Sohlberg and her husbandthat was too far back。 It must be some new affair of which she had not the least inkling； and so she sat and reflected。 Now； she told herself； if she received another invitation from Lynde she would accept it。
It was only a few days later that Aileen and Lynde met in the gold…room of the Richelieu。 Strange to relate； for one determined to be indifferent she had spent much time in making a fetching toilet。 It being February and chill with glittering snow on the ground； she had chosen a dark…green broadcloth gown； quite new； with lapis…lazuli buttons that worked a 〃Y〃 pattern across her bosom； a seal turban with an emerald plume which complemented a sealskin jacket with immense wrought silver buttons； and bronze shoes。 To perfect it all； Aileen had fastened lapis…lazuli ear…rings of a small flower…form in her ears； and wore a plain； heavy gold bracelet。 Lynde came up with a look of keen approval written on his handsome brown face。 〃Will you let me tell you how nice you look？〃 he said； sinking into the chair opposite。 〃You show beautiful taste in choosing the right colors。 Your ear…rings go so well with your hair。〃
Although Aileen feared because of his desperateness； she was caught by his sleek forcethat air of iron strength under a parlor mask。 His long； brown； artistic hands； hard and muscular； indicated an idle force that might be used in many ways。 They harmonized with his teeth and chin。
〃So you came； didn't you？〃 he went on； looking at her steadily； while she fronted his gaze boldly for a moment； only to look evasively down。
He still studied her carefully； looking at her chin and mouth and piquant nose。 In her colorful cheeks and strong arms and shoulders； indicated by her well…tailored suit； he recognized the human vigor he most craved in a woman。 By way of diversion he ordered an old…fashioned whisky cocktail； urging her to join him。 Finding her obdurate； he drew from his pocket a little box。
We agreed when we played the other night on a memento； didn't we？〃 he said。 〃A sort of souvenir？ Guess？〃
Aileen looked at it a little nonplussed； recognizing the contents of the box to be jewelry。 〃Oh； you shouldn't have done that；〃 she protested。 〃The understanding was that we were to win。 You lost； and that ended the bargain。 I should have shared the losses。 I haven't forgiven you for that yet； you know。〃
〃How ungallant that would make me！〃 he said； smilingly； as he trifled with the long； thin； lacquered case。 〃You wouldn't want to make me ungallant； would you？ Be a good fellowa good sport； as they say。 Gue
