“Quite so,” said Cowperwood, who saw very clearly what Stane had in mind. If they were to be won over to the task of helping him pull this English chestnut out of the fire, they were going to require, not additional compensation—they could scarcely ask for more than he had already offered—but more likely some form of joint control with him.
Or, if that could not be effected, then they would demand security in regard to their investments and, very likely, pro rata opportunities along with himself in connection with the progressive development of this proposed system.
And how was that to be arranged?
For the moment he was not a little puzzled, and to clarify his own as well as their thoughts, he now added:
“It was in connection with that that I was thinking how I might interest both of you, for I realize that you understand this situation, and assuming that you are willing to co-operate with me, can do a great deal toward furthering more favorable sentiment.
Just how do you think, apart from the three shares to one arrangement, you should be compensated?
What particular arrangement between the three of us would be agreeable to you?”
He paused. But the conversation as to this was much too extended and intricate to relate here.
In the main, it dealt with preliminary work which would have to be done by Stane and Johnson.
And this preliminary work, as they now explained to Cowperwood, related more to social introductions than to anything else, for without those his purely financial affairs were not likely to make much headway.
“In England, you see,” went on Stane, “one progresses more through favor and the friendship of financial as well as social groups than through particular individuals, however gifted they may be.
And if you are not well and favorably known to certain groups and accepted by them, it may be difficult to proceed.
You follow me?”
“Perfectly,” replied Cowperwood.
“And, of course, this is never at any point a mere matter of cold and practical bargaining.
There must be mutual understanding and respect.
And that is not achieved in a moment.
It depends not only on introductions but personal endorsements in a casual as well as definite social way.
You follow me?”
“Perfectly,” replied Cowperwood.
“But before that, there would have to be a very clear understanding as to what, apart from the exchange of shares would be the reward of those who made possible such an advantageous social entree for you and your undertaking.”
As Stane talked, Cowperwood sat relaxed in his chair, and although he seemed to be listening sympathetically enough, a close observer would have noticed a certain hardening of the eyes and tightening of the lips.
He realized very clearly that in so instructing him Stane was condescending.
For, of course, he had heard of the various scandals connected with his career and was aware of the fact that he was not admitted to the social worlds of Chicago and New York.
And although he was extremely diplomatic and courteous, Cowperwood took his explanations for just what they were worth: the explanations of a man who stood well in the haut monde to one who had been rejected by it.
And yet he was not in the least annoyed or dismayed.
In fact, he was rather ironically amused. For he had the upper hand.
He was going to make possible for Stane and his friends what no one else had been able to make possible.
When Stane finally paused, Cowperwood questioned him about the details of this understanding, but Stane said very courteously that he thought it would be best to leave that to Johnson.
However, he already had in mind not only a guarantee of three for one of his present holdings in the District and Metropolitan but also some secret and inviolable agreement with Cowperwood whereby he and Johnson would be retained, protected, and financially enhanced as part of this great development.
And so, while Stane calmly drew up his monocle and adjusted it in his right eye the better wherewith to contemplate him, Cowperwood now emphasized how really grateful he was for Stane’s personal interest and kindness in clarifying the significance of the situation.
He was certain it could all be arranged to their mutual satisfaction.
However, there was the task of financing, for which he himself would have to arrange.
It would probably be necessary for him to return to America shortly to raise this money, before talking with the various English shareholders—a point of view with which Stane agreed.
However, already Cowperwood had in his mind a 49-51 per cent control of a loaning company which might be made to loan enough to this English company to assure its capture and control in the event of disaster.
He would see.
As for Berenice and Stane, ah, well, he would wait and see as to that also.
He was sixty years old, and except for fame and public acclaim, it might, in a very few years, make no particular difference.
Actually, because of the relentless whirl of duties now threatening to engulf him, he was beginning to feel a little weary.
Sometimes, at the close of a busy day, he felt this whole London venture to be such a senseless thing for him to be undertaking at this time.
Why, only a year or two before, in Chicago, he had been saying to himself that if he could but achieve the extension of his franchises there, he would be willing to disassociate himself from the direction, and retire and travel.
He had even thought at the time that if Berenice finally refused his offer, and he were left to himself again, he might patch up some form of peace with Aileen and return to his New York house and such amusements and activities as would not overtax what he looked upon as a deserved leisure.
But now, here he was.
And what was it all about?
What was he to get out of it, other than the pleasure with Berenice, which, had she willed it otherwise, he might have found in a more peaceful way.
At the same time, there was the point made by her, and even by himself, that he owed it to himself, to his life, his reputation as representing an immense creative force, a financial figure of the first rank, to go forward and round out his career in some such climactic fashion as this.
But could it be effected without impairing his reputation as well as his fortune?
Would it be possible, in view of the present state of opinion of him at home, to go back and, in a reasonably brief time, assemble the required money?
In short, his position in almost all of its aspects was care-full and trying.
He was fagged, and disconcerted.