ers. There are four or five stockholders
of the old companies who are members, and they are trying to drive you
out. They've looked up that story you told me, and they're talking
about filing charges with the house committees at both places. Now,
nothing can come of it in either case--they've been talking to me; but
when this next reception comes along you'll know what to do. They'll
have to extend you an invitation; but they won't mean it." (Cowperwood
understood.) "This whole thing is certain to blow over, in my judgment;
it will if I have anything to do with it; but for the present--"

He stared at Cowperwood in a friendly way.

The latter smiled. "I expected something like this, Judah, to tell you
the truth," he said, easily. "I've expected it all along. You needn't
worry about me. I know all about this. I've seen which way the wind
is blowing, and I know how to trim my sails."

Addison reached out and took his hand. "But don't resign, whatever you
do," he said, cautiously. "That would be a confession of weakness, and
they don't expect you to. I wouldn't want you to. Stand your ground.
This whole thing will blow over. They're jealous, I think."

"I never intended to," replied Cowperwood. "There's no legitimate
charge against me. I know it will all blow over if I'm given time
enough." Nevertheless he was chagrined to think that he should be
subjected to such a conversation as this with any one.

Similarly in other ways "society"--so called--was quite able to enforce
its mandates and conclusions.

The one thing that Cowperwood most resented, when he learned of it much
later, was a snub direct given to Aileen at the door of the Norrie
Simmses'; she called there only to be told that Mrs. Simms was not at
home, although the carriages of others were in the street. A few days
afterward Aileen, much to his regret and astonishment--for he did not
then know the cause--actually became ill.

If it had not been for Cowperwood's eventual financial triumph over all
opposition--the complete routing of the enemy--in the struggle for
control in the gas situation--the situation would have been hard,
indeed. As it was, Aileen suffered bitterly; she felt that the slight
was principally directed at her, and would remain in force. In the
privacy of their own home they were compelled eventually to admit, the
one to the other, that their house of cards, resplendent and forceful
looking as it was, had fallen to the gr