Chapter 65

During this time Cowperwood lived principally in the agreeable thought of returning, at the end of the day, to Pryor’s Cove and Berenice. For the first time in years he was enjoying the simplicities of a genuine home, a place which, because of the spirit with which Berenice infused it, caused anything and everything from a game of checkers to a short walk along the Thames to seem rich in color and feeling and make him wish that it would go on forever. Even growing old would not be such an ordeal if it could be passed under such circumstances.

Yet one afternoon, about five months after his return to business, as he sat in his office preparing a note for Aileen, he was suddenly seized with the sharpest pain of any thus far experienced in connection with his illness. It was not unlike a sharp knife being pushed and turned in the region of his left kidney, and from there it seemed to leap to his heart. When he attempted to get up from his chair, he was unable to do so. In fact, as at Tregasal, his breath seemed to fail him, and he could not move. But in a few moments the pain lessened and he was able to reach over to a push button to summon Jamieson. As he was about to press the button, however, he drew back his hand and decided that perhaps this was simply one of those acute pains he had been warned to expect, and which he had been assured would not be fatal. And so he sat for a few moments, extremely reduced by the plain evidence that he was not cured, and fearing this might be the way it would eventually end. And what was worse, he had no one to confide in. For word as to this would bring back his public situation exactly where it had been before. And Berenice! Stane! Aileen! The newspapers! And more and more days in bed!

One thing he thought he should do was to return to New York. For there he would be close to Dr. James, and also he could see Aileen again and go over the problems that were troubling her. If he were going to die, there were things that should be put in order. As for Berenice, he could explain to her his need without telling her all in regard to this latest attack, and have her also return to New York.

After arriving at this decision he very cautiously rose from his chair, and a few hours later was able to return to Pryor’s Cove, pretending that there was nothing wrong in any way. However, after dinner, Berenice, who was in a particularly pleasant frame of mind, asked him if everything was going all right.

“Well, no, not exactly, ” he replied. “I had a letter from Aileen complaining about conditions in New York: the work on the house, and that sort of thing. She thinks there isn’t sufficient room being left for the pictures I’ve added to the collection. And some of the dealers who have looked in on the alterations seem to agree with her, regardless of Pyne’s opinion. I’m beginning to feel that I should go over, not only for that reason, but also to look after some of the follow-ups in connection with the loans that were made to me when I was there last.”

“Are you sure you are strong enough to undertake the trip? ” asked Berenice, a look of anxiety in her eyes.

“Quite, ” replied Cowperwood. “As a matter of fact, I am feeling better than I have been for months. And I cannot go too long without contact with New York.”

“What about me? ” she inquired, in a troubled tone.

“Why, you will go with me, and, for convenience sake, you can stay at the Waldorf when you get there, incognito, of course, ”—a reply that modified the look of distress in her face.

“But on different boats, as usual? ”

“Unfortunately, that would be the best way, hard as it is for me to even think of it. You know so well, dear, the danger of publicity.”

“Yes, I know. I understand how you feel about it. If you have to go, you must, and I’ll be right behind you on the next boat. When do we go? ”

“Jamieson tells me the next boat sails Wednesday. Can you get ready by then? ”

“I could be ready tomorrow if it were necessary, ” replied Berenice.

“Darling! You are always so willing, so helpful—I don’t know what my life would be without you...”

As he said this Berenice walked toward him and put her arms around him, whispering: “I love you, Frank. So why shouldn’t I do everything I can to help you...”