"Don't worry," he repeated. "Chicago isn't the only city, and we
won't be the poorest people in America, either, in ten years.
Just keep up your courage. It will all come out right. It's
certain to."

Aileen looked out on the lamp-lit length of Michigan Avenue, down
which they were rolling past many silent mansions. The tops of
all the lamps were white, and gleamed through the shadows, receding
to a thin point. It was dark, but fresh and pleasant. Oh, if
only Frank's money could buy them position and friendship in this
interesting world; if it only would! She did not quite realize how
much on her own personality, or the lack of it, this struggle
depended.




Chapter X



A Test

The opening of the house in Michigan Avenue occurred late in
November in the fall of eighteen seventy-eight. When Aileen and
Cowperwood had been in Chicago about two years. Altogether, between
people whom they had met at the races, at various dinners and teas,
and at receptions of the Union and Calumet Clubs (to which Cowperwood,
through Addison's backing, had been admitted) and those whom
McKibben and Lord influenced, they were able to send invitations