Then came Frank Cowperwood, and by degrees, because of his presence and
contact, he had been slowly built up in her mind as the ideal person.
She was drawn as planets are drawn to their sun.
It is a question as to what would have happened if antagonistic forces
could have been introduced just at this time. Emotions and liaisons of
this character can, of course, occasionally be broken up and destroyed.
The characters of the individuals can be modified or changed to a
certain extent, but the force must be quite sufficient. Fear is a great
deterrent--fear of material loss where there is no spiritual dread--but
wealth and position so often tend to destroy this dread. It is so easy
to scheme with means. Aileen had no spiritual dread whatever. Cowperwood
was without spiritual or religious feeling. He looked at this girl,
and his one thought was how could he so deceive the world that he could
enjoy her love and leave his present state undisturbed. Love her he did
surely.
Business necessitated his calling at the Butlers' quite frequently, and
on each occasion he saw Aileen. She managed to slip forward and squeeze
his hand the first time he came--to steal a quick, vivid kiss; and
another time, as he was going out, she suddenly appeared from behind the
curtains hanging at the parlor door.
Pages:
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257