Never again would she see him in this world, if they called her as many as a thousand times a day!
She would instruct her servants to ignore all calls from her husband or his accomplice, Dr. James, or any other person who pretended to represent them!
As she entered the elevator, her mind was a mental storm center, a cyclone roaring with clashing waves of rage.
She would tell the press about this scoundrel: his abuse and humiliation of a wife who had done so much for him!
She would repay him yet!
Outside the hotel, she hurried into a taxicab and stormily urged the driver to drive, just drive, the while she repeated to herself, like a rosary of trebled length, all of the ills which she could conjure, that might be and would be, if she could manage, heaped upon Cowperwood.
And as she rode, the vibration of her rage traveled directly back to Berenice.
Chapter 68
Berenice, in the meantime, having reached her room, sat there woodenly, finding herself powerless to think, so filled with fear was she, for Cowperwood as well as herself.
Aileen might have returned to his apartment, and how dreadful the effect of that on him at this time!
It might actually bring about his death!
And how terrible it was that she could not do anything for him!
Finally, she thought of going to Dr. James and asking him how to defeat this vicious, merciless mood on the part of Aileen.
But she was held back by the fear of again meeting her.
Perhaps she was in the hall, or in Dr. James’ room!
By degrees the situation became so unbearable to her that at last it produced a practical idea. She went to the telephone and called Dr. James, and, much to her relief, he answered.
“Dr. James,” she began, shakily, “this is Berenice.
I want to know if you won’t please be good enough to come to my room at once.
Something dreadful has happened, and I am so unstrung and nervous I must talk to you!”
“Why, certainly, Berenice.
I will come at once,” he replied.
Then she added, in a most unsteady voice:
“If you should see Mrs. Cowperwood in the hall, please don’t allow her to follow you here.”
But here her voice broke off, and James, sensing danger, hung the phone up hurriedly and, seizing his medical kit, went directly to her apartment and knocked at the door.
Berenice responded by whispering from behind the door:
“Are you alone, Doctor?”
When he assured her he was alone, she opened the door and he stepped inside.
“What is the matter, Berenice?
What is all this?” he asked, almost brusquely, at the same time studying her white face.
“Why are you so terrified?”
“Oh, Doctor, I can’t tell you.”
She was actually trembling with fear.
“It’s Mrs. Cowperwood.
I saw her here in the hall as I was coming in, and she saw me.
Her expression was so savage that I am afraid for Frank.
Do you know whether or not she has seen him since I left?
I have the feeling that she might have returned to his apartment.”
“Certainly, not,” said James.
“I have just come from there.
Frank is all right, quite safe.
But here,” and taking a few small white pills from his medicine case, he handed her one.
“Take this, and don’t say anything more for a few moments.
It will quiet your nerves, and then you can tell me all about it.”
And going toward a sofa, he motioned her to sit beside him.
Gradually she showed signs of becoming more quiet.
“Now, listen, Berenice,” he added,
“I know that your situation here is a very difficult one.
I have known it ever since you came here, but why are you so wrought up?
Do you expect Mrs. Cowperwood to attack you personally?”
“Oh, no, I am not worried about myself,” she replied, more calmly.