Her former tendency toward melancholia was dispelled, and she began to feel that her state was not as hopeless as it had been.
Cowperwood had written her that he would be coming to Paris, and in anticipation of his arrival she was prepared to surprise him with the most impressive of M. Richard’s creations.
And Tollifer had suggested that they take him to Orsignat’s for dinner, an interesting little place recently discovered by him.
It was charming, located right in the shadow of Notre Dame.
Sabinal was to furnish Orsignat, for the occasion, with the wines, brandies, liqueurs, aperitifs, and cigars.
And Orsignat, under the direction of Tollifer, was to furnish a repast of which no gourmet could complain.
For this time it was Tollifer who was seeking to make an impression.
Among the guests were to be Madame Rezstadt, the devoted sheik, and Marigold, who because of her interest in Tollifer was still in Paris and, by his orders, reconciled to Aileen.
“You and your husband,” he said to Aileen, “are so familiar with all the well-known places.
I think it would be more original if we got up something quite simple for a change.”
And he explained his plan to her.
To make sure of Cowperwood’s presence, Tollifer had her cable him a pressing invitation to the dinner which they had arranged in his honor.
And Cowperwood, on receipt of this, smiled, and wired his acceptance.
To his genuine surprise, on his arrival, he found Aileen more attractive physically than he had thought she could be at this time in her life, and particularly after all she had endured.
Her hair was a study in swirls that emphasized the good points of her face.
And her dress was designed to show the lines of her much reduced figure.
“Aileen!” he exclaimed, on seeing her, “I’ve never seen you looking better!
What in the world have you been doing?
That dress is most effective.
And I like your hair.
What have you been living on, birdseed?”
“Well, just about that,” returned Aileen, smiling.
“I haven’t had a single meal that I would call a meal in thirty days.
But you may be sure of one thing! Now that I’ve gotten it off, it’s going to stay off!
But did you have an easy trip over?”
As she talked she was supervising the services of Williams, who was arranging glasses and liqueurs on a table in preparation for guests.
“The Channel was smooth as a pond,” he said, “except for about fifteen minutes, when it looked as though everybody would go under.
But we were all fine when we landed.
“Oh, that dreadful Channel!” said Aileen, conscious all the while of his eyes upon her, and, in spite of herself, nervously excited by his complimentary remarks.
“But what about this banquet tonight?”
“Well, Mr. Tollifer and I have arranged a little party.
You know, that man Tollifer is a perfect jewel.
I like him ever so much.
And I think you’ll be interested in some of the people who are coming, especially my friend, Madame Rezstadt.
She and I have been going around together a great deal.
She is charming, and different from any woman I have ever known.”
Now that she had lived for a month in the company of Tollifer and his colourful group, she felt at ease in pointing out to Cowperwood a woman of Madame Rezstadt’s charm, where previously she would have jealously intrigued to prevent his noticing any woman as attractive as her new friend.
He noted her new air of confidence, her assurance, good nature, and revived interest in life.
If things were going to go as well as this, decidedly there might be no further cause for bitterness between them.
At the same time ran the thought that this development was his doing, not hers. And she so unconscious of it.
But no sooner had that thought been indulged in than he realized that it was really because of Berenice that this had happened.
For he could feel that Aileen was inspired, not so much by his presence as by that of the man whom he had employed.
But where was he?
Cowperwood felt he had no right to inquire.
He was in the position of a man who contrives a show, a masquerade, but is not permitted to announce himself as showman.
But there was Aileen saying:
“Frank, you’ll want to dress.
And I have some things to do before the others arrive.”
“That’s right,” he said.
“But I have a piece of news for you.