He was so charming when he was nice--so splendid.

When Lynde sought to hold her to the proposed luncheon engagement she at first declined.

And there, under slightly differing conditions, the matter might easily have stood.

But it so happened that just at this time Aileen was being almost daily harassed by additional evidence and reminders of Cowperwood's infidelity.
For instance, going one day to call on the Haguenins--for she was perfectly willing to keep up the pretense of amity in so long as they had not found out the truth--she was informed that Mrs.Haguenin was "not at home." Shortly thereafter the Press, which had always been favorable to Cowperwood, and which Aileen regularly read because of its friendly comment, suddenly veered and began to attack him.

There were solemn suggestions at first that his policy and intentions might not be in accord with the best interests of the city.