?" he inquired. In spite of a conventional impulse to burst
forth in moralistic denunciation, solemnly phrased, he was compelled
for the moment to see the other man's viewpoint. They were working in
different directions, going different ways, to what ultimate end?

"Mr. Cowperwood," continued the governor, his face a physiognomy out of
Goya, his eye alight with a kind of understanding sympathy, "I suppose
I ought to resent this, but I can't. I see your point of view. I'm
sorry, but I can't help you nor myself. My political belief, my
ideals, compel me to veto this bill; when I forsake these I am done
politically with myself. I may not be elected governor again, but that
does not matter, either. I could use your money, but I won't. I shall
have to bid you good morning."

He moved toward the safe, slowly, opened it, took out the bag and
brought it over.

"You must take that with you," he added.

The two men looked at each other a moment curiously, sadly--the one
with a burden of financial, political, and moral worry on his spirit,
the other with an unconquerable determination not to be worsted even in
defeat.

"Governor," concluded Cowperwood, in the most genial, contented,
undisturbed voice, "you will live to see another legislature pass and
another governor sign some such bill. It will not be done this
session, apparently, but it will be done. I am not through, because my
case is right and fair. Just the same, after you have vetoed the bill,
come and see me, and I will loan you that one hundred thousand if you
want it."

Cowperwood went out. Swanson vetoed the bill. It is on record that
subsequently he borrowed one hundred thousand dollars from Cowperwood
to stay him from ruin.

Chapter LVI

The Ordeal of Berenice

At the news that Swanson had refused to sign the bill and that the
legislature lacked sufficient courage to pass it over his veto both
Schryhart and Hand literally rubbed their hands in comfortable
satisfaction.

"Well, Hosmer," said Schryhart the next day, when they met at their
favorite club--the Union League--"it looks as though we were making
some little progress, after all, doesn't it? Our friend didn't succeed
in turning that little trick, did he?"

He beamed almost ecstatically upon his solid companion.

"Not this time. I wonder what move he will decide to make next."

"I don't see very well what it can be. He knows now that he can't get
his franchises without a