登陆注册
5250800000173

第173章 Chapter XLIX Mount Olympus(4)

Sitting in his library on this particular evening, and studying the details of half a dozen art-catalogues which had accumulated during the week, Cowperwood was decidedly conscious of the probable collapse of American Match on the morrow. Through his brokers and agents he was well aware that a conference was on at this hour at the house of Arneel. More than once during the day he had seen bankers and brokers who were anxious about possible shrinkage in connection with various hypothecated securities, and to-night his valet had called him to the 'phone half a dozen times to talk with Addison, with Kaffrath, with a broker by the name of Prosser who had succeeded Laughlin in active control of his private speculations, and also, be it said, with several of the banks whose presidents were at this particular conference. If Cowperwood was hated, mistrusted, or feared by the overlords of these institutions, such was by no means the case with the underlings, some of whom, through being merely civil, were hopeful of securing material benefits from him at some future time. With a feeling of amused satisfaction he was meditating upon how heavily and neatly he had countered on his enemies. Whereas they were speculating as to how to offset their heavy losses on the morrow, he was congratulating himself on corresponding gains. When all his deals should be closed up he would clear within the neighborhood of a million dollars. He did not feel that he had worked Messrs. Hull and Stackpole any great injustice. They were at their wit's end. If he had not seized this opportunity to undercut them Schryhart or Arneel would have done so, anyhow.

Mingled with thoughts of a forthcoming financial triumph were others of Berenice Fleming. There are such things as figments of the brain, even in the heads of colossi. He thought of Berenice early and late; he even dreamed of her. He laughed at himself at times for thus being taken in the toils of a mere girl--the strands of her ruddy hair--but working in Chicago these days he was always conscious of her, of what she was doing, of where she was going in the East, of how happy he would be if they were only together, happily mated.

It had so happened, unfortunately, that in the course of this summer's stay at Narragansett Berenice, among other diversions, had assumed a certain interest in one Lieutenant Lawrence Braxmar, U.S.N., whom she found loitering there, and who was then connected with the naval station at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Cowperwood, coming East at this time for a few days' stay in order to catch another glimpse of his ideal, had been keenly disturbed by the sight of Braxmar and by what his presence might signify. Up to this time he had not given much thought to younger men in connection with her. Engrossed in her personality, he could think of nothing as being able to stand long between him and the fulfilment of his dreams. Berenice must be his. That radiant spirit, enwrapt in so fair an outward seeming, must come to see and rejoice in him.

Yet she was so young and airy in her mood that he sometimes wondered. How was he to draw near? What say exactly? What do?

Berenice was in no way hypnotized by either his wealth or fame.

She was accustomed (she little knew to what extent by his courtesy) to a world more resplendent in its social security than his own.

Surveying Braxmar keenly upon their first meeting, Cowperwood had liked his face and intelligence, had judged him to be able, but had wondered instantly how he could get rid of him. Viewing Berenice and the Lieutenant as they strolled off together along a summery seaside veranda, he had been for once lonely, and had sighed. These uncertain phases of affection could become very trying at times. He wished he were young again, single.

To-night, therefore, this thought was haunting him like a gloomy undertone, when at half past eleven the telephone rang once more, and he heard a low, even voice which said:

"Mr. Cowperwood? This is Mr. Arneel."

"Yes."

"A number of the principal financial men of the city are gathered here at my house this evening. The question of ways and means of preventing a panic to-morrow is up for discussion. As you probably know, Hull & Stackpole are in trouble. Unless something is done for them tonight they will certainly fail to-morrow for twenty million dollars. It isn't so much their failure that we are considering as it is the effect on stocks in general, and on the banks. As I understand it, a number of your loans are involved.

The gentlemen here have suggested that I call you up and ask you to come here, if you will, to help us decide what ought to be done.

Something very drastic will have to be decided on before morning."

During this speech Cowperwood's brain had been reciprocating like a well-oiled machine.

"My loans?" he inquired, suavely. "What have they to do with the situation? I don't owe Hull & Stackpole anything."

"Very true. But a number of the banks are carrying securities for you. The idea is that a number of these will have to be called --the majority of them--unless some other way can be devised to-night. We thought you might possibly wish to come and talk it over, and that you might be able to suggest some other way out."

"I see," replied Cowperwood, caustically. "The idea is to sacrifice me in order to save Hull & Stackpole. Is that it?"

His eyes, quite as though Arneel were before him, emitted malicious sparks.

"Well, not precisely that," replied Arneel, conservatively; "but something will have to be done. Don't you think you had better come over?"

"Very good. I'll come," was the cheerful reply. "It isn't anything that can be discussed over the 'phone, anyhow."

同类推荐
  • 局方发挥

    局方发挥

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The White Mr. Longfellow

    The White Mr. Longfellow

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 书旨述

    书旨述

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 唐宋分门名贤诗话

    唐宋分门名贤诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 填词杂说

    填词杂说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 佛说慢法经

    佛说慢法经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 丹曦隐柏里

    丹曦隐柏里

    没有人知道柏弈琛的一眼万年是那一年秋天背着天蓝色双肩包的秋日下
  • 校草今天和我告白了

    校草今天和我告白了

    “不许暴露我跟你之间的关系。”“不许爱上我。”“一年之后必须解除婚约。”订婚前,薄少爷一纸订婚协议扔给她。可订婚后……薄少爷时不时扬言,“温暖心喜欢我,喜欢到非要强迫我跟她订婚的地步。”莫名被黑的温暖心气冲冲跑去找他,“薄以寒,你严重违反了我们的订婚协议,我要现在就解除婚约。”“什么协议?我们之间有签过订婚协议?”“……”当温暖心想要把订婚协议甩他脸上的时候,却发现自己的协议不见了……薄大少爷,梁上君子当的还开心吗?
  • 娇红记

    娇红记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 落实力就是战斗力

    落实力就是战斗力

    中国著名企业培训机构聚成资讯集团推荐优秀读本,世界500强企业提升企业战斗力的首选读本。中国企业培养具有落实力员工的通行法规。摩托罗拉、海尔、三星、福特、索尼、戴尔、荣事达、IBM、英特尔、西安杨森、麦当劳等,100余家国内外成功企业,正以它作为搏击商海的生存理念及行为准则。
  • 仙灵幻梦

    仙灵幻梦

    穿越成大神,我一穿成废柴,还是人见人爱,花见花开,车见车爆胎一掐就死的幼年小仓鼠,先有坑爹的系统,后有的帅气师父,天天惹桃花一朵朵,夜夜搞事情。
  • 劝孝歌

    劝孝歌

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 假秀女爱上真王爷

    假秀女爱上真王爷

    爱一个人,有多苦?白月儿不知道,她只知道她莫名地爱了,爱上了一个根本就不爱她的男人……恨一个人有多累?李隐不知道,他只知道他累了,所以他不再爱了。只是谁知道在他决定不再爱的时候,他遇到了与心上人几乎一模一样的她?这是老天的捉弄吗?还是仅仅只是一个巧合?他们……还会像从前的他和她一样吗?满月群号:91564141,欢迎各位亲们前来做客。推荐关于李瞳郡主的新文《妖孽郡主的绝色男宠》http://m.wkkk.net/a/259190/
  • 团结就是力量

    团结就是力量

    《团结就是力量》这首产生于火热斗争中的群众歌曲,半个多世纪以来,为人们的生活带来了巨大的精神力量。团结就是力量,拼搏才能胜利。至今,团结仍是时代的主旋律。如果没有团结合作的精神,个人的计划再精彩也难以完满实施。团结就是生产力、战斗力、竞争力!
  • 山村旧事

    山村旧事

    一个奇怪的山村,因为天灾人祸而起的怪事,原来竟藏着这样一个秘密……