represented. "Such a sweet
little house this is," she said, smilingly. "We've noticed it often.
We're not so far removed from you but what we might be called
neighbors."

Aileen's eyes spoke appreciation. Although she could not fully grasp
Mrs. Rambaud, she understood her, in a way, and liked her. She was
probably something like her own mother would have been if the latter
had been highly educated. While they were moving into the
reception-room Taylor Lord was announced. Cowperwood took his hand and
brought him forward to the others.

"Mrs. Cowperwood," said Lord, admiringly--a tall, rugged, thoughtful
person--"let me be one of many to welcome you to Chicago. After
Philadelphia you will find some things to desire at first, but we all
come to like it eventually."

"Oh, I'm sure I shall," smiled Aileen.

"I lived in Philadelphia years ago, but only for a little while," added
Lord. "I left there to come here."

The observation gave Aileen the least pause, but she passed it over
lightly. This sort of accidental reference she must learn to expect;
there might be much worse bridges to cross.

"I find Chicago all right," she replied, briskly. "There's nothing the
matter with it. It has more snap than Philadelphia ever had."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. I like it so much. Perhaps it's
because I find such interesting things to do here."

He was admiring the splendor of her arms and hair. What need had
beautiful woman to be intellectual, anyhow, he was saying to himself,
sensing that Aileen might be deficient in ultimate refinement.

Once more an announcement from the butler, and now Mr. and Mrs. Addison
entered. Addison was not at all concerned over coming here--liked the
idea of it; his own position and that of his wife in Chicago was
secure. "How are you, Cowperwood?" he beamed, laying one hand on the
latter's shoulder. "This is fine of you to have us in to-night. Mrs.
Cowperwood, I've been telling your husband for nearly a year now that
he should bring you out here. Did he tell you?" (Addison had not as yet
confided to his wife the true history of Cowperwood and Aileen.)

"Yes, indeed," replied Aileen, gaily, feeling that Addison was charmed
by her beauty. "I've been wanting to come, too. It's his fault that I
wasn't here sooner."

Addison, looking circumspectly at Aileen, said to himself that she was
certainly a stunning-looking woman. So she was the cause of the first
wife's suit. No wo