In his hours of freedom, his sensual instincts got the better of him; and his jealous wife had her reasons for complaint.

Among his friends, he was the subject of a wide diversity of opinion.

Some of them agreed with his brother in thinking him little better than a fool.

Others suspected him of possessing natural abilities, but of being too lazy, perhaps too cunning, to exert them.

In the office he allowed himself to be called "a mere machine"-- and escaped the overwork which fell to the share of quicker men.