He had a caustic wit, made an admirable boon companion, and, having a subtle intellect, was fond of paradoxes and skillful hair-splitting.

Thanks to the red wine, he fell into the habit of spending much, and so into the necessity of making much also.

Vanity and the love of excitement led him to devote the whole energy of his brilliant intellect to winning bad cases, and thus that frequent curse of barristers overtook him; all who had bad cases applied to him.

For a long time this annoyed him; but gradually, very gradually, he became demoralized by the constant contact with falsehood and wrong.

His wants went on increasing, temptations multiplied, and conscience weakened.