of social superiority? Beauty was of
such substance as dreams are made of, and as fleeting. Not one's self
alone--one's inmost worth, the splendor of one's dreams--but other
things--name, wealth, the presence or absence of rumor, and of
accident--were important. Berenice's lip curled. But life could be
lived. One could lie to the world. Youth is optimistic, and Berenice,
in spite of her splendid mind, was so young. She saw life as a game, a
good chance, that could be played in many ways. Cowperwood's theory of
things began to appeal to her. One must create one's own career, carve
it out, or remain horribly dull or bored, dragged along at the chariot
wheels of others. If society was so finicky, if men were so
dull--well, there was one thing she could do. She must have life,
life--and money would help some to that end.

Besides, Cowperwood by degrees was becoming attractive to her; he
really was. He was so much better than most of the others, so very
powerful. She was preternaturally gay, as one who says, "Victory shall
be mine anyhow."

Chapter LXI

The Cataclysm

And now at last Chicago is really facing the thing which it has most
feared. A giant monopoly is really reaching out to enfold it with an
octopus-like grip. And Cowperwood is its eyes, its tentacles, its
force! Embedded in the giant strength and good will of Haeckelheimer,
Gotloeb & Co., he is like a monument based on a rock of great strength.
A fifty-year franchise, to be delivered to him by a majority of
forty-eight out of a total of sixty-eight aldermen (in case the
ordinance has to be passed over the mayor's veto), is all that now
stands between him and the realization of his dreams. What a triumph
for his iron policy of courage in the face of all obstacles! What a
tribute to his ability not to flinch in the face of storm and stress!
Other men might have abandoned the game long before, but not he. What
a splendid windfall of chance that the money element should of its own
accord take fright at the Chicago idea of the municipalization of
public privilege and should hand him this giant South Side system as a
reward for his stern opposition to fol-de-rol theories.

Through the influence of these powerful advocates he was invited to
speak before various local commercial bodies--the Board of Real Estate
Dealers, the Property Owners' Association, the Merchants' League, the
Bankers' Union, and so forth, where he had an opportunity to pr