of a very lucrative practice and a moderate fortune, thus enabling him in some degree to follow the bent of his own inclinations.  To those whose habits and desires were similar to his own, he was not long in unfolding his true character, though not to a sufficient extent to destroy at once his professional prospects.  The irresponsible life of the man of leisure had more charms to him than an honorable distinction in his profession.  To labor in any form he had an intolerable repugnance.  His fortune was not sufficient to allow an entire neglect of business; therefore he determined to practise law in an easy manner, until a rich wife, or the “tricks” of his craft, would permit an entire devotion to the pleasures of affluence.

In accordance with this idea, his first step, after the death of his father, had been to locate himself in the magnificent apartments we have described.  He gave up the house in which his father had dwelt, and, fitting up a sleeping-room in the rear of the office with oriental splendor, his life and habits were free from the scrutinizing gaze of friend and foe, and he found himself situated as nearly to his mind as his income would permit.  These indications of a dissolute life were viewed with distrust by the more respectable of his clients.  His subsequent actions were not calculated to increase their confidence; yet, for the respect they bore to the father’s memory, they were slow in casting off the son.

Mr. Maxwell smoked his cigar, and occasionally uttered an impatient exclamation, as though some scheme he was turning in his mind refused to accommodate itself to his means.  He was evidently engaged in the consideration of some complicated affair; and the more he thought, the more impatient he grew.  He finished his cigar, and lit another; still the knotty point was not conquered.  His haggard countenance at one moment was lighted up, as though success had dawned upon his mental contest; but at the next moment it darkened into disappointment, which he vented in an audible oath.

While thus laboring in his perplexity, the door communicating with the ante-chamber was opened, and the boy in attendance very formally announced “Miss Dumont.”

This announcement seemed to dissipate the vexatious clouds which had environed the attorney, and a light and cheerful smile came, as if by magic, upon his care-worn features, as he apologized to the lady for the smoky atmosphere of the room.

“I trust your honored father is well,” said he, after disposing of the usual commonplace introductions of conversation.

“I regret to say that his failing health is the occasion of this visit,” replied the lady, in a cold and even serious tone.  “I have called to request your immediate attendance at Bellevue.  My father has some business matters upon which he requires your professional advice.”

“Col.  Dumout, I trust, is not seriously ill,” returned Maxwell, with an appearance of sympathy.