"It's such a pleasure to meet you," Mrs. Addison, a corpulent,
bejeweled lady, was saying to Aileen. "My husband and yours have
become the best of friends, apparently. We must see more of each
other."

She babbled on in a puffy social way, and Aileen felt as though
she were getting along swiftly. The butler brought in a great
tray of appetizers and cordials, and put them softly on a remote
table. Dinner was served, and the talk flowed on; they discussed
the growth of the city, a new church that Lord was building ten
blocks farther out; Rambaud told about some humorous land swindles.
It was quite gay. Meanwhile Aileen did her best to become
interested in Mrs. Rambaud and Mrs. Addison. She liked the latter
somewhat better, solely because it was a little easier to talk to
her. Mrs. Rambaud Aileen knew to be the wiser and more charitable
woman, but she frightened her a little; presently she had to fall
back on Mr. Lord's help. He came to her rescue gallantly, talking
of everything that came into his mind. All the men outside of
Cowperwood were thinking how splendid Aileen was physically, how
white were her arms, how rounded her neck and shoulders, how rich
her hair.




Chapter VII



Chicago Gas