Their arrival in New York the next day raised the important question in Lester's mind as to where he should stop.
New York was a very large place, and he was not in much danger of encountering people who would know him, but he thought it just as well not to take chances.
Accordingly he had the cabman drive them to one of the more exclusive apartment hotels, where he engaged a suite of rooms; and they settled themselves for a stay of two or three weeks.
This atmosphere into which Jennie was now plunged was so wonderful, so illuminating, that she could scarcely believe this was the same world that she had inhabited before.
Kane was no lover of vulgar display.
The appointments with which he surrounded himself were always simple and elegant.
He knew at a glance what Jennie needed, and bought for her with discrimination and care.
And Jennie, a woman, took a keen pleasure in the handsome gowns and pretty fripperies that he lavished upon her.
Could this be really Jennie Gerhardt, the washerwoman's daughter, she asked herself, as she gazed in her mirror at the figure of a girl clad in blue velvet, with yellow French lace at her throat and upon her arms?
Could these be her feet, clad in soft shapely shoes at ten dollars a pair, these her hands adorned with flashing jewels?
What wonderful good fortune she was enjoying!
And Lester had promised that her mother would share in it.
Tears sprang to her eyes at the thought.
The dear mother, how she loved her!
It was Lester's pleasure in these days to see what he could do to make her look like some one truly worthy of im.
He exercised his most careful judgment, and the result surprised even himself.
People turned in the halls, in the dining-rooms, and on the street to gaze at Jennie.
"A stunning woman that man has with him," was a frequent comment.
Despite her altered state Jennie did not lose her judgment of life or her sense of perspective or proportion.
She felt as though life were tentatively loaning her something which would be taken away after a time.
There was no pretty vanity in her bosom.
Lester realized this as he watched her.
"You're a big woman, in your way," he said.
"You'll amount to something.
Life hasn't given you much of a deal up to now."
He wondered how he could justify this new relationship to his family, should they chance to hear about it.
If he should decide to take a home in Chicago or St. Louis (there was such a thought running in his mind) could he maintain it secretly?
Did he want to?
He was half persuaded that he really, truly loved her.
As the time drew near for their return he began to counsel her as to her future course of action.
"You ought to find some way of introducing me, as an acquaintance, to your father," he said.
"It will ease matters up.
I think I'll call.
Then if you tell him you're going to marry me he'll think nothing of it."
Jennie thought of Vesta, and trembled inwardly.
But perhaps her father could be induced to remain silent.
Lester had made the wise suggestion that she should retain the clothes she had worn in Cleveland in order that she might wear them home when she reached there.
"There won't be any trouble about this other stuff," he said.
"I'll have it cared for until we make some other arrangement."
It was all very simple and easy; he was a master strategist.
Jennie had written her mother almost daily since she had been East. She had inclosed little separate notes to be read by Mrs. Gerhardt only.
In one she explained Lester's desire to call, and urged her mother to prepare the way by telling her father that she had met some one who liked her.
She spoke of the difficulty concerning Vesta, and her mother at once began to plan a campaign o have Gerhardt hold his peace.
There must be no hitch now.
Jennie must be given an opportunity to better herself.
When she returned there was great rejoicing.
Of course she could not go back to her work, but Mrs. Gerhardt explained that Mrs. Bracebridge had given Jennie a few weeks' vacation in order that she might look for something better, something at which he could make more money.
CHAPTER XXIV
The problem of the Gerhardt family and its relationship to himself comparatively settled, Kane betook himself to Cincinnati and to his business duties.
He was heartily interested in the immense plant, which occupied two whole blocks in the outskirts of the city, and its conduct and development was as much a problem and a pleasure to him as to either his father or his brother.