the titan-第56章

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r　Tiernan　nor　Kerrigan　spoke；　though　they　had　come　away　together；　until　they　were　two　hundred　feet　down　the　avenue　toward　Van　Buren。

〃Some　talk；　that；　eh？〃　commented　Mr。　Tiernan；　eying　Mr。　Kerrigan　in　the　flare　of　a　passing　gas…lamp。

〃Sure。　　That's　the　stuff　they　always　hand　out　when　they're　up　against　it。　　Pretty　kind　words；　eh？〃

〃And　after　ten　years　of　about　the　roughest　work　that's　done；　eh？　It's　about　time；　what？　Say；　it's　a　wonder　he　didn't　think　of　that　last　June　when　the　convention　was　in　session。

〃Tush！　Mikey；〃　smiled　Mr。　Kerrigan；　grimly。　　〃You're　a　bad　little　boy。　　You　want　your　pie　too　soon。　　Wait　another　two　or　four　or　six　years；　like　Paddy　Kerrigan　and　the　others。〃

〃Yes；　I　willnot；〃　growled　Mr。　Tiernan。　　〃Wait'll　the　sixth。〃

〃No　more；　will　I；〃　replied　Mr。　Kerrigan。　　〃Say；　we　know　a　trick　that　beats　that　next…year　business　to　a　pulp。　　What？〃

〃You're　dead　right；〃　commented　Mr。　Tiernan。

And　so　they　went　peacefully　home。




Chapter　XXXVII



Aileen's　Revenge

The　interesting　Polk　Lynde；　rising　one　morning；　decided　that　his　affair　with　Aileen；　sympathetic　as　it　was；　must　culminate　in　the　one　fashion　satisfactory　to　him　here　and　nowthis　day；　if　possible；　or　the　next。　　Since　the　luncheon　some　considerable　time　had　elapsed；　and　although　he　had　tried　to　seek　her　out　in　various　ways；　Aileen；　owing　to　a　certain　feeling　that　she　must　think　and　not　jeopardize　her　future；　had　evaded　him。　　She　realized　well　enough　that　she　was　at　the　turning　of　the　balance；　now　that　opportunity　was　knocking　so　loudly　at　her　door；　and　she　was　exceedingly　coy　and　distrait。　　In　spite　of　herself　the　old　grip　of　Cowperwood　was　over　herthe　conviction　that　he　was　such　a　tremendous　figure　in　the　worldand　this　made　her　strangely　disturbed；　nebulous；　and　meditative。　　Another　type　of　woman；　having　troubled　as　much　as　she　had　done；　would　have　made　short　work　of　it；　particularly　since　the　details　in　regard　to　Mrs。　Hand　had　been　added。　　Not　so　Aileen。　　She　could　not　quite　forget　the　early　vows　and　promises　exchanged　between　them；　nor　conquer　the　often…fractured　illusions　that　he　might　still　behave　himself。

On　the　other　hand；　Polk　Lynde；　marauder；　social　adventurer；　a　bucaneer　of　the　affections；　was　not　so　easily　to　be　put　aside；　delayed；　and　gainsaid。　　Not　unlike　Cowperwood；　he　was　a　man　of　real　force；　and　his　methods；　in　so　far　as　women　were　concerned；　were　even　more　daring。　　Long　trifling　with　the　sex　had　taught　him　that　they　were　coy；　uncertain；　foolishly　inconsistent　in　their　moods；　even　with　regard　to　what　they　most　desired。　　If　one　contemplated　victory；　it　had　frequently　to　be　taken　with　an　iron　hand。

From　this　attitude　on　his　part　had　sprung　his　rather　dark　fame。　　Aileen　felt　it　on　the　day　that　she　took　lunch　with　him。　　His　solemn；　dark　eyes　were　treacherously　sweet。　　She　felt　as　if　she　might　be　paving　the　way　for　some　situation　in　which　she　would　find　herself　helpless　before　his　sudden　moodand　yet　she　had　come。

But　Lynde；　meditating　Aileen's　delay；　had　this　day　decided　that　he　should　get　a　definite　decision；　and　that　it　should　be　favorable。　He　called　her　up　at　ten　in　the　morning　and　chafed　her　concerning　her　indecision　and　changeable　moods。　　He　wanted　to　know　whether　she　would　not　come　and　see　the　paintings　at　his　friend's　studio　whether　she　could　not　make　up　her　mind　to　come　to　a　barn…dance　which　some　bachelor　friends　of　his　had　arranged。　　When　she　pleaded　being　out　of　sorts　he　urged　her　to　pull　herself　together。　　〃You're　making　things　very　difficult　for　your　admirers；〃　he　suggested；　sweetly。

Aileen　fancied　she　had　postponed　the　struggle　diplomatically　for　some　little　time　without　ending　it；　when　at　two　o'clock　in　the　afternoon　her　door…bell　was　rung　and　the　name　of　Lynde　brought　up。　〃He　said　he　was　sure　you　were　in；〃　commented　the　footman；　on　whom　had　been　pressed　a　dollar；　〃and　would　you　see　him　for　just　a　moment？　He　would　not　keep　you　more　than　a　moment。〃

Aileen；　taken　off　her　guard　by　this　effrontery；　uncertain　as　to　whether　there　might　not　be　something　of　some　slight　import　concerning　which　he　wished　to　speak　to　her；　quarreling　with　herself　because　of　her　indecision；　really　fascinated　by　Lynde　as　a　rival　for　her　affections；　and　remembering　his　jesting；　coaxing　voice　of　the　morning；　decided　to　go　down。　　She　was　lonely；　and；　clad　in　a　lavender　housegown　with　an　ermine　collar　and　sleeve　cuffs；　was　reading　a　book。

〃Show　him　into　the　music…room；〃　she　said　to　the　lackey。　　When　she　entered　she　was　breathing　with　some　slight　difficulty；　for　so　Lynde　affected　her。　　She　knew　she　had　displayed　fear　by　not　going　to　him　before；　and　previous　cowardice　plainly　manifested　does　not　add　to　one's　power　of　resistance。

〃Oh！〃　she　exclaimed；　with　an　assumption　of　bravado　which　she　did　not　feel。　　〃I　didn't　expect　to　see　you　so　soon　after　your　telephone　message。　　You　have　never　been　in　our　house　before；　have　you？　Won't　you　put　up　your　coat　and　hat　and　come　into　the　gallery？　It's　brighter　there；　and　you　might　be　interested　in　some　of　the　pictures。〃

Lynde；　who　was　seeking　for　any　pretext　whereby　he　might　prolong　his　stay　and　overcome　her　nervous　mood；　accepted；　pretending；　however；　that　he　was　merely　passing　and　with　a　moment　to　spare。

〃Thought　I'd　get　just　one　glimpse　of　you　again。　　Couldn't　resist　the　temptation　to　look　in。　　Stunning　room；　isn't　it？　Spaciousand　there　you　are！　Who　did　that？　Oh；　I　seeVan　Beers。　　And　a　jolly　fine　piece　of　work　it　is；　too；　charming。〃

He　surveyed　her　and　then　turned　back　to　the　picture　where；　ten　years　younger；　buoyant；　hopeful；　carrying　her　blue…and…white　striped　parasol；　she　sat　on　a　stone　bench　against　the　Dutch　background　of　sky　and　clouds。　　Charmed　by　the　picture　she　presented　in　both　cases；　he　was　genially　complimentary。　　To…day　she　was　stouter；　ruddierthe　fiber　of　her　had　hardened；　as　it　does　with　so　many　as　the　years　come　on；　but　she　was　still　in　full　blooma　little　late　in　the　summer；　but　in　full　bloom。

〃Oh　yes；　and　this　RembrandtI'm　surprised！　I　did　not　know　your　husband's　collection　was　so　representative。　　Israels；　I　see；　and　Gerome；　and　Meissonier！　Gad！　It　is　a　representative　collection；　isn't　it？〃

〃Some　of　the　things　are　excellent；〃　she　commented；　with　an　air；　aping　Cowperwood　and　others；　〃but　a　number　will　be　weeded　out　eventuallythat　Paul　Potter　and　this　Goyas　better　examples　come　into　the　market。〃

She　had　heard　Cowperwood　say　as　much；　over　and　over。

Finding　that　conversation　was　possible　between　them　in　this　easy；　impersonal　way；　Aileen　became　quite　natural　and　interested；　pleased　and　entertained　by　his　discreet　and　charming　presence。　　Evidently　he　did　not　intend　to　pay　much　more　than　a　passing　social　call。　　On　the　other　hand；　Lynde　was　studying　her；　wondering　what　effect　his　light；　distant　air　was　having。　　As　he　finished　a　very　casual　survey　of　the　gallery　he　remarked：

〃I　have　always　wondered　about　this　house。　　I　knew　Lord　did　it；　of　course；　and　I　always　heard　it　was　well　done。　　That　is　the　dining…room；　I　suppose？〃

Aileen；　who　had　always　been　inordinately　vain　of　the　house　in　spite　of　the　fact　that　it　had　proved　of　small　use　socially；　was　delighted　to　show　him　the　remainder　of　the　rooms。　　Lynde；　who　was　used；　of　course；　to　houses　of　all　degrees　of　material　splendorthat　of　his　own　family　being　one　of　the　bestpretended　an　interest　he　did　not　feel。　　He　commented　as　he　went　on　the　taste　of　the　decorations　and　wood…carving；　the　charm　of　the　arrangement　that　permitted　neat　brief　vistas；　and　the　like。

〃Just　wait　a　moment；〃　said　Aileen；　as　they　neared　the　door　of　her　own　boudoir。　　〃I've　forgotten　whether　mine　is　in　order。　　I　want　you　to　see　that。〃

She　opened　it　and　stepped　in。

〃Yes；　you　may　come；〃　she　called。

He　followed。　　〃Oh　yes；　indeed。　　Very　charming。　　Very　gracefulthose　little　lacy　dancing　figuresaren't　they？　A　delightful　color　scheme。　It　harmonizes　with　you　exactly。　　It　is　quite　like　you。〃

He　paused；　looking　at　the　spacious　rug；　which　was　of　warm　blues　and　creams；　and　at　the　gilt　ormolu　bed。　　〃Well　done；〃　he　said；　and　then；　suddenly　changing　his　mood　and　dropping　his　talk　of　decoration　（Aileen　was　to　his　right；　and　he　was　between　her　and　the　door）；　he　added：　〃Tell　me　now　why　won't　you　come　to　the　barn…dance　to…night？　It　would　be　charming。　　You　will　enjoy　it。〃

Aileen　saw　the　sudden　change　in　his　mood。　　She　recognized　that　by　showing　him　the　rooms　she　had　led　herself　into　an　easily　made　disturbing　position。　　His　dark　engaging　eyes　told　their　own　story。

〃Oh；　I　don't　feel　in　the　mood　to。　　I　haven't　for　a　number　of　things　for　some　time。　　I〃

She　began　to　move　unconcernedly　about　him　toward　the　door；　but　he　detained　her　with　his　hand。　　〃Don't　go　just　yet；〃　he　said。　　〃Let　me　talk　to　you。　　You　always　evade　me　in　such　a　nervous　way。　　Don't　you　like　me　at　all？〃

〃Oh　yes；　I　like　you；　but　can't　we　talk　just　as　well　down　in　the　music…room　as　here？　Can't　I　tell　you　why　I　evade　you　down　there　just　as　well　as　I　can　here？〃　She　smiled　a　winning　and　now　fearless　smile。

Lynde　showed　his　even　white　teeth　in　two　gleaming　rows。　　His　eyes　filled　with　a　gay　maliciousness。　　〃Surely；　surely；〃　he　replied；　〃but　you're　so　nice　in　your　own　room　here。　　I　hate　to　leave　it。〃

〃Just　the　same；〃　replied　Aileen；　still　gay；　but　now　slightly　disturbed　also；　〃I　think　we　might　as　well。　　You　will　find　me　just　as　entertaining　downstairs。〃

She　moved；　but　his　strength；　quite　as　Cowperwood's；　was　much　too　great　for　her。　　He　was　a　strong　man。

〃Really；　you　know；〃　she　said；　〃you　mustn't　act　this　way　here。　　Some　one　might　come　in。　　What　cause　have　I　given　you　to　make　you　think　you　could　do　like　this　with　me？〃

〃What　cause？〃　he　asked；　bending　over　her　and　smoothing　her　plump　arms　with　his　brown　hands。　　〃Oh；　no　definite　cause；　perhaps。　　You　are　a　cause　in　yourself。　　I　told　you　how　sweet　I　thought　you　were；　the　night　we　were　at　the　Alcott。　　Didn't　you　understand　then？　I　thought　you　did。〃

〃Oh；　I　understood　that　you　liked　me；　and　all　that；　perhaps。　　Any　one　might　do　that。　　But　as　for　anything　likewelltaking　such　liberties　with　meI　never　dreamed　of　it。　　But　listen。　　I　think　I　hear　some　one　coming。〃　Aileen；　making　a　sudden　vigorous　effort　to　free　herself　and　failing；　added：　〃Please　let　me　go；　Mr。　Lynde。　　It　isn't　very　gallant　of　you；　I　must　say；　restraining　a　woman　against　her　will。　　If　I　had　given　you　any　real　causeI　shall　be　angry　in　a　moment。〃

Again　the　even　smiling　teeth　and　dark；　wrinkling；　malicious　eyes。

〃Really！　How　you　go　on！　You　would　think　I　was　a　perfect　stranger。　Don't　you　remember　what　you　said　to　me　at　lunch？　You　didn't　keep　your　promise。　　You　practically　gave　me　to　understand　that　you　would　come。　　Why　didn't　you？　Are　you　afraid　of　me；　or　don't　you　like　me；　or　both？　I　think　you're　delicious；　splendid；　and　I　want　to　know。〃

He　shifted　his　position；　putting　one　arm　about　her　waist；　pulling　her　close　to　him；　looking　into　her　eyes。　　With　the　other　he　held　her　free　arm。　　Suddenly　he　covered　her　mouth　with　his　and　then　kissed　her　cheeks。　　〃You　care　for　me；　don't　you？　What　did　you　mean　by　saying　you　might　come；　if　you　didn't？〃

He　held　her　quite　firm；　while　Aileen　struggled。　　It　was　a　new　sensation　thisthat　of　the　other　man；　and　this　was　Polk　Lynde；　the　first　individual　outside　of　Cowperwood　to　whom　she　had　ever　felt　drawn。　　But　now；　here；　in　her　own　roomand　it　wa