said
anything at all--just listened.

Chapter III

A Chicago Evening

After his first visit to the bank over which Addison presided, and an
informal dinner at the latter's home, Cowperwood had decided that he
did not care to sail under any false colors so far as Addison was
concerned. He was too influential and well connected. Besides,
Cowperwood liked him too much. Seeing that the man's leaning toward
him was strong, in reality a fascination, he made an early morning call
a day or two after he had returned from Fargo, whither he had gone at
Mr. Rambaud's suggestion, on his way back to Philadelphia, determined
to volunteer a smooth presentation of his earlier misfortunes, and
trust to Addison's interest to make him view the matter in a kindly
light. He told him the whole story of how he had been convicted of
technical embezzlement in Philadelphia and had served out his term in
the Eastern Penitentiary. He also mentioned his divorce and his
intention of marrying again.

Addison, who was the weaker man of the two and yet forceful in his own
way, admired this courageous stand on Cowperwood's part. It was a
braver thing than he himself could or would have achieved. It appealed
to his sense of the dramatic. Here was a man who apparently had been
dragged down to the very bottom of things, his face forced in the mire,
and now he was coming up again strong, hopeful, urgent. The banker
knew many highly respected men in Chicago whose early careers, as he
was well aware, would not bear too close an inspection, but nothing was
thought of that. Some of them were in society, some not, but all of
them were powerful. Why should not Cowperwood be allowed to begin all
over? He looked at him steadily, at his eyes, at his stocky body, at
his smooth, handsome, mustached face. Then he held out his hand.

"Mr. Cowperwood," he said, finally, trying to shape his words
appropriately, "I needn't say that I am pleased with this interesting
confession. It appeals to me. I'm glad you have made it to me. You
needn't say any more at any time. I decided the day I saw you walking
into that vestibule that you were an exceptional man; now I know it.
You needn't apologize to me. I haven't lived in this world fifty years
and more without having my eye-teeth cut. You're welcome to the
courtesies of this bank and of my house as long as you care to avail
yourself of them. We'll cut our cloth as circumstances dictate in the
future.