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"No, that won't do," said Cowperwood. "I shall have to go myself. If you wish to wait here I will
see what can be done, and let you know."
"Very well," grunted Butler, who was now walking up and down with his hands behind his back.
"But for Heaven's sake be quick about it. There's no time to lose." He was thinking of Mrs.
Butler. Cowperwood called the servant, ordered his runabout, and told George to see that his
private office was not disturbed. Then, as Butler strolled to and fro in this, to him, objectionable
room, Cowperwood drove rapidly away.
Chapter XLVII
Although it was nearly eleven o'clock when he arrived at the Calligans', Aileen was not yet in
bed. In her bedroom upstairs she was confiding to Mamie and Mrs. Calligan some of her social
experiences when the bell rang, and Mrs. Calligan went down and opened the door to
Cowperwood.
"Miss Butler is here, I believe," he said. "Will you tell her that there is some one here from her
father?" Although Aileen had instructed that her presence here was not to be divulged even to
the members of her family the force of Cowperwood's presence and the mention of Butler's
name cost Mrs. Calligan her presence of mind. "Wait a moment," she said; "I'll see."
She stepped back, and Cowperwood promptly stepped in, taking off his hat with the air of one
who was satisfied that Aileen was there. "Say to her that I only want to speak to her for a few
moments," he called, as Mrs. Calligan went up-stairs, raising his voice in the hope that Aileen
might hear. She did, and came down promptly. She was very much astonished to think that he
should come so soon, and fancied, in her vanity, that there must be great excitement in her
home. She would have greatly grieved if there had not been.
The Calligans would have been pleased to hear, but Cowperwood was cautious. As she came
down the stairs he put his finger to his lips in sign for silence, and said, "This is Miss Butler, I
believe."
"Yes," replied Aileen, with a secret smile. Her one desire was to kiss him. "What's the trouble
darling?" she asked, softly.
"You'll have to go back, dear, I'm afraid," whispered Cowperwood. "You'll have everything in a
turmoil if you don't. Your mother doesn't know yet, it seems, and your father is over at my place
now, waiting for you. It may be a good deal of help to me if you do. Let me tell you--" He went
off into a complete description of his conversation with Butler and his own views in the matter.
Aileen's expression changed from time to time as the various phases of the matter were put
before her; but, persuaded by the clearness with which he put the matter, and by his assurance
that they could continue their relations as before uninterrupted, once this was settled, she
decided to return. In a way, her father's surrender was a great triumph. She made her farewells
to the Calligans, saying, with a smile, that they could not do without her at home, and that she
would send for her belongings later, and returned with Cowperwood to his own door. There he
asked her to wait in the runabout while he sent her father down.
"Well?" said Butler, turning on him when he opened the door, and not seeing Aileen.
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