Be sensible, be
liberal."

There was much argument--the usual charges and countercharges--but,
finally, because of her weariness of heart, his petting, the
unsolvability of it all, she permitted him for the time being to
persuade her that there were still some crumbs of affection left. She
was soul-sick, heartsick. Even he, as he attempted to soothe her,
realized clearly that to establish the reality of his love in her
belief he would have to make some much greater effort to entertain and
comfort her, and that this, in his present mood, and with his leaning
toward promiscuity, was practically impossible. For the time being a
peace might be patched up, but in view of what she expected of him--her
passion and selfish individuality--it could not be. He would have to
go on, and she would have to leave him, if needs be; but he could not
cease or go back. He was too passionate, too radiant, too individual
and complex to belong to any one single individual alone.

Chapter XXX

Obstacles

The impediments that can arise to baffle a great and swelling career
are strange and various. In some instances all the cross-waves of life
must be cut by the strong swimmer. With other personalities there is a
chance, or force, that happily allies itself with them; or they quite
unconsciously ally themselves with it, and find that there is a tide
that bears them on. Divine will? Not necessarily. There is no
understanding of it. Guardian spirits? There are many who so believe,
to their utter undoing. (Witness Macbeth). An unconscious drift in the
direction of right, virtue, duty? These are banners of mortal
manufacture. Nothing is proved; all is permitted.

Not long after Cowperwood's accession to control on the West Side, for
instance, a contest took place between his corporation and a citizen by
the name of Redmond Purdy--real-estate investor, property-trader, and
money-lender--which set Chicago by the ears. The La Salle and
Washington Street tunnels were now in active service, but because of
the great north and south area of the West Side, necessitating the
cabling of Van Buren Street and Blue Island Avenue, there was need of a
third tunnel somewhere south of Washington Street, preferably at Van
Buren Street, because the business heart was thus more directly
reached. Cowperwood was willing and anxious to build this tunnel,
though he was puzzled how to secure from the city a right of way under
Van Buren Street, whe