He began his business life at the age of twenty-two, as partner in a well established mercantile house, and, as he was able to place ten thousand dollars in the concern, his position, in the matter of profits, was good from the beginning.

Yet, for all this, notwithstanding more than one loving-hearted girl, in whose eyes he might have found favor, crossed his path, he resolutely turned his thoughts away, lest the fascination should be too strong for him.

He resolved not to marry until he felt able to maintain a certain style of living.
Thus were the heart's impulses checked; thus were the first tender leaves of affection frozen in the cold breath of mere calculation.
He wronged himself in this; yet, in his worldliness and ignorance, did he feel proud of being above, what he called, the weaknesses of other men.
It was but natural that Mr.Leslie should become, in a measure, reserved towards others.

Should assume a statelier step, and more set forms of speech.

Should repress, more and more, his heart's impulses.
In Leslie, the love of money was strong; yet there was in his character a firmly laid basis of integrity.