The tendency of his life and the peculiar circumstances of his youth had been much against Len. He was working against great odds. Need we wonder at the defeat that must surely come to him? Though only in his twentieth year, the unfortunate conditions of his life had prematurely developed him. Even Pierre was unprepared for the result of the sudden changes that had occurred in the young man during the last few weeks.
Towards Winslow, Len's hatred became fixed and unyielding. His avoidance of his former employer became so marked that Winslow made no attempt to break in upon his humor. Pierre always treated him as a boy, and did not change his calm manner or fatherly way with him. On the strength of their former friendship and intimacy Len sometimes conversed with Pierre, who was ever patient with him, as he was with everything and everybody. As may be supposed, Len was outspoken, and the subject was almost always Marie. They met a few days after the discovery of the blue vein, and Len soon turned the conversation upon his daughter.
"Why should Marie, because those Americans are here, never speak to me now?"
"Never mind the girl, Len; you are a rich man now, and that will give you a better chance to look about for someone who will please you as much as Marie. You know she is but a child in my eyes, and I must not lose her for a long time yet."
"If I am rich, why does she still shun me?" he persisted.
"You must let a woman have her way, Len," Pierre said.
"What has Winslow said of me? Why did his coming to your house shut me out altogether?" he continued, his rage growing.
"He is a worthy young man, Len. Do not believe anything that is dishonoring to him. He does no man harm."
"Pierre! Pierre! he does not love Marie, if she does love him," he cried, brutally.
"How much do you gain by that, Len?" said the old man, turning upon him his kind eyes, yet without a sign of anger. "You must not think to get nearer to Marie by speaking in this way about the persons she thinks are her friends."