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"Really, I don't see how she can," commented Anna. "Now, I like Norah. She's much nicer. She
doesn't think she's so much."
"I like Norah, too," added Mrs. Cowperwood. "She's really very sweet, and to me she's prettier."
"Oh, indeed, I think so, too."
It was curious, though, that it was Aileen who commanded nearly all their attention and fixed
their minds on her so-called idiosyncrasies. All they said was in its peculiar way true; but in
addition the girl was really beautiful and much above the average intelligence and force. She
was running deep with ambition, and she was all the more conspicuous, and in a way irritating
to some, because she reflected in her own consciousness her social defects, against which she
was inwardly fighting. She resented the fact that people could justly consider her parents
ineligible, and for that reason her also. She was intrinsically as worth while as any one.
Cowperwood, so able, and rapidly becoming so distinguished, seemed to realize it. The days
that had been passing had brought them somewhat closer together in spirit. He was nice to her
and liked to talk to her. Whenever he was at her home now, or she was at his and he was
present, he managed somehow to say a word. He would come over quite near and look at her
in a warm friendly fashion.
"Well, Aileen"--she could see his genial eyes--"how is it with you? How are your father and
mother? Been out driving? That's fine. I saw you to-day. You looked beautiful."
"Oh, Mr. Cowperwood!"
"You did. You looked stunning. A black riding-habit becomes you. I can tell your gold hair a long
way off."
"Oh, now, you mustn't say that to me. You'll make me vain. My mother and father tell me I'm too
vain as it is."
"Never mind your mother and father. I say you looked stunning, and you did. You always do."
"Oh!"
She gave a little gasp of delight. The color mounted to her cheeks and temples. Mr.
Cowperwood knew of course. He was so informed and intensely forceful. And already he was
so much admired by so many, her own father and mother included, and by Mr. Mollenhauer and
Mr. Simpson, so she heard. And his own home and office were so beautiful. Besides, his quiet
intensity matched her restless force.
Aileen and her sister were accordingly invited to the reception but the Butlers mere and pere
were given to understand, in as tactful a manner as possible, that the dance afterward was
principally for young people.
The reception brought a throng of people. There were many, very many, introductions. There
were tactful descriptions of little effects Mr. Ellsworth had achieved under rather trying
circumstances; walks under the pergola; viewings of both homes in detail. Many of the guests
were old friends. They gathered in the libraries and dining-rooms and talked. There was much
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