first time since he began his work of forming the corporation
Gorham gave himself up to day-dreams. Sitting back in an easy-chair in
his library he watched the smoke curl upward from his cigar, and gave
his mind free rein. With the momentum now acquired, nothing could stem
the triumphal advance. The business scope had extended nearly as far as
he would let it go--he would confine it to public utilities and public
necessities. In the future, it might break beyond the confines he had
set for it, and even become the single employer of all labor, but for
his own time he would keep it within his limitations, so that he might
devote his thought and energy to the development of its political power.
Why should he not eventually succeed even in forcing a disarmament of
nations, relieving the people of their most grievous burden, and
insuring peace by the absolute control the Companies was certain to
acquire of foodstuffs and the munitions of war? Then, indeed, his life
would not have been in vain!

His day-dreams and his thoughts were interrupted by finding his wife at
his side. She had entered so quietly that he had not heard her footstep,
and he gave a gentle start when he felt her hand upon his forehead.

"Yes, dear, I am dreaming," he said, in answer to her unspoken question.
"You don't often see me this way, do you? The world never looked so
bright as it does to-day. The Consolidated Companies, the child of your
conception and my creation, has reached the zenith of its power. It may
grow larger, but even now nothing can resist it."

"The world never looked so bright as it does to-day," Eleanor repeated to
herself, sitting on the arm of his chair, thrilled by the message of
love which this man sent out to her through the pressure of his hand on
hers which he held so closely. Should she be the one to disturb the
supreme serenity of his thoughts at this moment by a suggestion of
something which perhaps was only the figment of an over-anxious brain?
Inside the battle waged, but he could not see her face, so was ignorant
of the conflict. If her hand trembled within his own he did not notice
it. She looked down at the profile so clearly outlined. What strength,
what sweetness, what contentment! To-morrow she would tell him, but not
to-day. This moment was hers, and no past memory had the right to take
it from her!

XVII

The strain under which Gorham had been working for the past five years
was beginning to show its