For the first time since he began his work of forming the corporation Gorham gave himself up to day-dreams.  Sitting back in an easy-chair in his library he watched the smoke curl upward from his cigar, and gave his mind free rein.  With the momentum now acquired, nothing could stem the triumphal advance.  The business scope had extended nearly as far as he would let it go—­he would confine it to public utilities and public necessities.  In the future, it might break beyond the confines he had set for it, and even become the single employer of all labor, but for his own time he would keep it within his limitations, so that he might devote his thought and energy to the development of its political power.  Why should he not eventually succeed even in forcing a disarmament of nations, relieving the people of their most grievous burden, and insuring peace by the absolute control the Companies was certain to acquire of foodstuffs and the munitions of war?  Then, indeed, his life would not have been in vain!

His day-dreams and his thoughts were interrupted by finding his wife at his side.  She had entered so quietly that he had not heard her footstep, and he gave a gentle start when he felt her hand upon his forehead.

“Yes, dear, I am dreaming,” he said, in answer to her unspoken question.  “You don’t often see me this way, do you?  The world never looked so bright as it does to-day.  The Consolidated Companies, the child of your conception and my creation, has reached the zenith of its power.  It may grow larger, but even now nothing can resist it.”

“The world never looked so bright as it does to-day,” Eleanor repeated to herself, sitting on the arm of his chair, thrilled by the message of love which this man sent out to her through the pressure of his hand on hers which he held so closely.  Should she be the one to disturb the supreme serenity of his thoughts at this moment by a suggestion of something which perhaps was only the figment of an over-anxious brain?  Inside the battle waged, but he could not see her face, so was ignorant of the conflict.  If her hand trembled within his own he did not notice it.  She looked down at the profile so clearly outlined.  What strength, what sweetness, what contentment!  To-morrow she would tell him, but not to-day.  This moment was hers, and no past memory had the right to take it from her!

XVII

The strain under which Gorham had been working for the past five years was beginning to show itself, and, acting upon his doctor’s advice, he decided to take a brief respite from the cares and responsibilities of the office.  He did not think it necessary to leave New York, as the reaction was not as yet strong enough to require any radical treatment.  A fortnight spent quietly at his home in the midst of congenial surroundings would be entirely sufficient.  During this time he denied himself to business callers, simply keeping in touch with affairs by means of his daily reports, which formed so strong a feature of his business system.