He met Adrian Van Zoon three times, that is, he was in the same room with him, although they spoke together only once.  The merchant had in his presence an air of detachment.  He seemed to be one who continually carried a burden, and a stripling just from the woods could not long have a place, either favorable or unfavorable, in his memory.  Robert began to wonder if St. Luc had net been mistaken.  What could a man born and bred in France, and only in recent years an inhabitant of Canada, know of Adrian Van Zoon of New York?  What, above all, could he know that would cause him to warn Robert against him?  But this, like all his other questions, disappeared in the enjoyments of the moment.  Nature, which had been so kind in giving to him a vivid imagination, had also given with it an intense appreciation.  He liked nearly everything, and nearly everybody, he could see a rosy mist where the ordinary man saw only a cloud, and just now New York was so kind to him that he loved it all.

A week in the city and he attended a brilliant ball given by William Walton in the Walton mansion, in Franklin Square, then the most elaborate and costly home in North America.  It was like a great English country house, with massive brick walls and woodwork, all imported and beautifully carved.  The staircase in particular made of dark ebony was the wonder of its day, and, in truth, the whole interior was like that of a palace, instead of a private residence, at that time, in America.

Robert enjoyed himself hugely.  He realized anew how close was the blood relationship among all those important families, and he was already familiar with their names.  The powerful sponsorship of Mr. Hardy had caused them to take him in as one of their number, and for that reason he liked them all the more.  He was worldly wise enough already to know that we are more apt to call a social circle snobbish when we do not belong to it.  Now, he was a welcome visitor at the best houses in New York, and all was rose to him.

Adrian Van Zoon, who had not only wealth but strong connections, was there, but, as on recent occasions he took no notice of Robert, until late in the evening when the guests were dancing the latest Paris and London dances in the great drawing-room.  Robert was resting for a little space and as he leaned against the wall the merchant drew near him and addressed him with much courtesy.

“I fear, Mr. Lennox,” he said, “that I have spoken to you rather brusquely, for which I offer many apologies.  It was due, perhaps, to the commercial rivalries of myself and Mr. Hardy, in whose house you are staying.  It was but natural for me to associate you with him.”

“I wish to be linked with him,” said Robert, coldly.  “I have a great liking and respect for Mr. Hardy.”

Mynheer Van Zoon laughed and seemed not at all offended.

“The answer of a lad, and a proper one for a lad,” he said. “’Tis well to be loyal to one’s friends, and I must admit, too, that Mr. Hardy is a man of many high qualities, a fact that a rivalry in business extending over many years, has proved to me.  He and I cannot become friends, but I do respect him.”