Do you think you could leave Paris just now and run back to New York with me?”
“What do you mean?”
Her voice was full of surprise.
For she had been hoping that they might visit at least a few of the principal resorts of Europe this summer, and now here he was talking of returning to New York.
Perhaps he was giving up his London plans entirely in order to return to America for good.
She was a little disturbed, for somehow this seemed to shadow and even threaten all that she had so recently achieved.
“Oh, nothing at all serious,” said Cowperwood, smiling.
“Nothing has gone wrong in London.
I haven’t been thrown out.
In fact, it looks as though they might like me to stay.
But only on condition that I go back home and return with a lot of money.”
He smiled ironically, and Aileen, relieved, smiled with him.
Knowing so much of his past experiences, she could not help sharing his cynicism.
“Well, that doesn’t surprise me,” she said.
“But let’s talk about it tomorrow.
Suppose you dress now.”
“Right!
I’ll be ready in a half-hour.”
Aileen covered him with her eyes as he passed into another room.
As usual, he was certainly looking the picture of success. He was cheerful, adroit, aggressive.
Plainly, he was interested by her present appearance and manner.
She was sure of that, even though still conscious of the fact that he did not love her and that she feared him.
What a blessing that the gay, handsome Tollifer had blown into her life!
If she were to return to New York now, what was to become of this quite inexplicable and now quite soundly established friendship between herself and this handsome young loafer?
Chapter 38
Before Cowperwood reappeared, Tollifer breezed in.
Handing his top hat and stick to Williams, he marched briskly over to Aileen’s bedroom door and knocked.
“Hello!” she called out to him.
“Mr. Cowperwood is here; he’s dressing.
I’ll be with you in a second.”
“Righto!
The others should be here any moment now.”
As he spoke, he heard a slight noise and turned just in time to note Cowperwood’s entrance into the reception room by another door.
The two gave each other a swift glance of recognition.
Tollifer conscious of his obligation, stepped quickly and cordially forward.
But Cowperwood anticipated his address by saying:
“Well, we meet again.
How are you enjoying Paris?”
“Oh, very much,” said Tollifer.
“This season is particularly gay.
I’ve been running into all sorts of people.
And the weather has been perfect.
You know Paris in the spring.
I find it the gayest and most refreshing time.”
“I hear we are to be the guests of my wife this evening.”
“Yes, along with some others.
I’m afraid I’m a little early.”
“Suppose we have something to drink!”
They were off on a casual conversation regarding London and Paris, both doing their best to ignore the relationship between them, and both succeeding.
Aileen entered and greeted Tollifer.