Yet he really did not wish it in the last analysis--would have been grieved temporarily if she had deserted him.

However, in the case of Sohlberg, detectives were employed, the new affair with the flighty pupil was unearthed and sworn to by witnesses, and this, combined with the "lettahs" held by Rita, constituted ample material wherewith to "hush up" the musician if ever he became unduly obstreperous.

So Cowperwood and Rita's state was quite comfortable.
But Aileen, meditating over Antoinette Nowak, was beside herself with curiosity, doubt, worry.

She did not want to injure Cowperwood in any way after his bitter Philadelphia experience, and yet when she thought of his deserting her in this way she fell into a great rage.

Her vanity, as much as her love, was hurt.