But, though long hollow within, he continued outwardly prosperous, and many prophesied that he, with his immense practice, would die one of the richest men in the city, when, cunning lawyer as he was, he had the misfortune to provoke inquiry by appearing in a desperate case.

The result was, that he was at once disgraced, and vanished like a falling star from the circle of his professional brethren.

He soon lost the last remains of respectability.
In reality, he had amassed very little, and his love of drink went on increasing.

He sunk to a mere frequenter of brandy-shops, a promoter of unfair litigation, and an adviser of rogues and swindlers.

Owing to some of these practices it was that he now found it convenient, under the pretense of a long journey, to become for a time invisible.