Vellenaux | Page 6

the address being noticed by either Sir Jasper or Edith.
The matter being thus satisfactorily arranged, she patiently awaited the
developments of the first fruits of the plot against young Carlton.

CHAPTER II.
It may be remarked, and with a great deal of truth, that the chapters of a
novel bear a certain resemblance to those pleasing illusions known as
dissolving views, where one scene glides almost imperceptibly into
another. The reader has been gazing mentally on woods, landscapes
and water in the South of England, when lo! in the twinkling of an eye,
the busy haunts of men in the world's great capitol, London, stands
unveiled before him. It must, however, be admitted that, so far as
scenic effect is concerned, the change is at times less pleasing than the

one just fading from view. Yet if we wish to realize the plot of the story,
the dark and uncertain shades of the picture should be looked on, from
time to time, as they present themselves.
On a door, which stood partially open, in the last of a row of gloomy
looking houses situated in one of those dark and narrow paved courts
leading from Chancery Lane to Lincoln Inn Field's, was painted in
black letters on a white ground--"Ralph Coleman, Attorney-at-Law."
In the ill lit passage to the right was a door that opened into the front
office, where, seated at an old-fashioned desk, was a youth, tall, thin
and pale, busily engaged engrossing some legal documents. A short,
quick step was heard coming up the Court, the handle turned, the door
opened, and a man about the middle height with a slight tendency to be
corpulent, and about thirty-five years of age, entered. "Are those papers
ready," enquired Mr. Coleman of the young clerk, who had ceased
writing on the entrance of his employer.
"I am finishing the last one now," was the ready reply.
"Good; and my letters?"
"They are in the usual place, on your desk," answered the youth,
re-commencing his work. The Attorney moved away and entered his
private office, and seating himself in his old leathern chair, commenced
in a methodical way to open and peruse his letters.
Ralph Coleman commenced life with very fair prospects. He came of a
good old family and had received a University education, and studied
for the Bar very assiduously for three or four years, but on the death of
his father he came in for five thousand pounds. He then neglected his
profession, and, for a time, led a very fast life in London. When he had
run through about half of his money he went abroad, and while there
married a lady who had a tolerable fortune. They travelled together
over the European Continent, and for several years enjoyed what is
termed life.
An accident happened to Mrs. Coleman in Switzerland which resulted

in her death. Ralph being again alone in the world, as it were, entered
into all the wild dissipations of Vienna and Paris, which ended in his
ruin; and he returned to England with only a five pound note between
him and beggary. As the cousin and only male relative of Sir Jasper
Coleman, he was heir to the Baronetcy but not to the property. This
was unentailed, and at the will of the Baronet; but should he die
intestate the whole would fall to Ralph.
But the hope of succeeding to the estate banished, or was at least, to a
considerable extent, quashed, when he learned that Miss Effingham had
been adopted by her uncle, and that likewise he had made a protégé of
the son of his old friend Eustace Carlton, and would no doubt
eventually make a will in their favor; but so far as he could learn, up to
the present time no will had been made. There was a degree of
consolation in this; but in the meantime he must live; he therefore
resumed his profession, and by energy, and the aid of his aristocratic
friends, succeeded in obtaining a tolerable practice.
He was on pretty good terms with his cousin, and usually went down to
Devonshire for a few days during the shooting season, and on more
than one occasion had Sir Jasper spoken to him of the future career of
young Arthur; but the lawyer generally managed to evade the subject
by saying there was plenty of time to think about that when the
youngster should leave College, and appeared to interest himself very
little in the matter, because he did not see in what way the youth's
future career could affect him; that Sir Jasper might assist Arthur with
his interest, at the outset, and perhaps give him a couple of hundred
pounds to help him on in his profession or calling, he did not