re surprised to hear himself say
it. "I didn't think I did, but I do. You're beautiful. I'm wild about
you."

"And I love you" she answered. "I can't help it. I know I shouldn't,
but--oh--" Her hands closed tight over his ears and temples. She put her
lips to his and dreamed into his eyes. Then she stepped away quickly,
looking out into the street, and he walked back into the living-room.
They were quite alone. He was debating whether he should risk anything
further when Norah, having been in to see Anna next door, appeared and
not long afterward Mrs. Cowperwood. Then Aileen and Norah left.

Chapter XX

This definite and final understanding having been reached, it was
but natural that this liaison should proceed to a closer and closer
relationship. Despite her religious upbringing, Aileen was decidedly a
victim of her temperament. Current religious feeling and belief could
not control her. For the past nine or ten years there had been slowly
forming in her mind a notion of what her lover should be like. He should
be strong, handsome, direct, successful, with clear eyes, a ruddy glow
of health, and a certain native understanding and sympathy--a love of
life which matched her own. Many young men had approached her. Perhaps
the nearest realization of her ideal was Father David, of St. Timothy's,
and he was, of course, a priest and sworn to celibacy. No word had ever
passed between them but he had been as conscious of her as she of him.
Then came Frank Cowperwood, and by degrees, because of his presence and
contact, he had been slowly built up in her mind as the ideal person.
She was drawn as planets are drawn to their sun.

It is a question as to what would have happened if antagonistic forces
could have been introduced just at this time. Emotions and liaisons of
this character can, of course, occasionally be broken up and destroyed.
The characters of the individuals can be modified or changed to a
certain extent, but the force must be quite sufficient. Fear is a great
deterrent--fear of material loss where there is no spiritual dread--but
wealth and position so often tend to destroy this dread. It is so easy
to scheme with means. Aileen had no spiritual dread whatever. Cowperwood
was without spiritual or religious feeling. He looked at this girl,
and his one thought was how could he so deceive the world that he could
enjoy her love and leave his present state undisturbed. Love her he did
surely.

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