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Cowperwood felt clearly that it must be Aileen, that he must know or suspect something. He must pretend business hurry and end this. "I'm sorry. I thought I might get an extension; but that's all right. I can get the money, though. I'll send it right over." He turned and walked quickly to the door. Butler got up. He had thought to manage this differently.
Besides this, it seems since he'd heard of her being at the ball at Turon he'd taken a great fancy to Aileen, and used to talk to her as much as she'd let him, when she was at George Storefield's and any other place where he met her. He wouldn't have had much chance of saying the second word, only he was a good-natured, amusing sort, and always as respectful to her as if she'd been a lady.
But two weeks later Aileen told Alexina that although she had cannily waited for what she believed to be the propitious moment and told her father about the great scheme, she had never seen him so upset. She stormed, argued, wept, but he was adamant. He would give her neither a cent nor his permission. But that was only one point.
"You care for him still, don't you?" he asked, with a wry smile, upon one occasion. They were sitting at dinner in a private room at Kinsley's, and Aileen, whose color was high, and who was becomingly garbed in metallic-green silk, was looking especially handsome.
The most futile thing in this world is any attempt, perhaps, at exact definition of character. All individuals are a bundle of contradictions none more so than the most capable. In the case of Aileen Butler it would be quite impossible to give an exact definition.
"Only once in three months, pet, so they say, but I think we can fix that after I get there; only do you think you had better try to come right away, Aileen? You know what the feeling now is. Hadn't you better wait a while? Aren't you in danger of stirring up your father? He might cause a lot of trouble out there if he were so minded."
"Have you seen or heard anything of Aileen since I left?" "Nothing, except that she's been somewhat out of sorts, and her father has sent her up to London for a change." "Has he gone to London with her?" "No, I believe not; he's taken up a good deal wi' the cargo o' this ship, and comes down to see us now and then, but for the most part he remains at home attendin' to business."
It was in vain that the Addisons, Sledds, Kingslands, Hoecksemas, and others made their appearance; Aileen was not reassured. However, after dinner the younger set, influenced by McKibben, came to dance, and Aileen was at her best in spite of her doubts. She was gay, bold, attractive.
To give it to Mr Timms will evidently be the saving of his business at a time when it appears to have reached a crisis. Put on your bonnet and shawl, dear, and we will go about this matter without delay." Aileen was one of those girls who possessed the rare and delectable capacity to "throw on" her bonnet and shawl.
He might get on his feet again if he failed; but it would be uphill work. And his father! His father would be pulled down with him. It was probable that he would be forced out of the presidency of his bank. With these thoughts Cowperwood sat there waiting. As he did so Aileen Butler was announced by his office-boy, and at the same time Albert Stires. "Show in Miss Butler," he said, getting up.
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