The Mysteries of Isis; Or, the College Life of Paul Romaine [By H.J. Wilmot-Buxton]. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 Excerpt: ...Formerly the firm had been that of Cheyne Brothers and Ballantyne, but on the death of Mr. Henry Cheyne, the father of our friend Percy, the names stood as at present. Henry Cheyne's decease by no means injured the business, in fact it greatly improved it; for that gentleman had been both careless and unfortunate in his affairs, and not only wasted his own private fortune, but had lost a good deal of the money of the firm into the bargain. In consequence of this a quarrel and long misunderstanding arose between the two brothers, Henry and Ralph, which was hardly adjusted at the time of the former's death. However, Ralph Cheyne was left sole guardian of his nephew Perey, and as his father had nothing to leave, Percy depended entirely on his uncle for any fortune which ho might choose to give him. The uncle and nephew had never been very good friends; it was scarcely possible that they could be. Percy was highspirited, impetuous, and wilful, though thoroughly kindhearted and honest. Ralph Cheyne, on the other hand, was a cold calculating man of business, with no imagination, and a profound contempt for every one who had. He possessed a great capacity for acquiring and hoarding pounds, shillings, and pence; but had no capacity to speak of for acquiring and preserving that perishable fluid, ' the milk of human kindness." It was not very likely then that the uncle and nephew should agree well together, more especially as Ralph seemed inclined to visit the sins of the father upon the son. There had been several quarrels between the uncle and nephew, and each succeeding one more bitter and lasting than its predecessor. One bright day in August, Percy Cheyne came out of his uncle's counting-house, and turned into Cannon Street, with a look of ill-concealed vex...