Within the last fifteen years or so great wealth had come to him; but, alas! he was unable to enjoy it.
Until eleven years ago he had been a prominent figure in politics and in society in London.

He had sat in the House for one of the divisions of Hampshire, was a member of the Carlton, and one year he found his name among the Birthday Honours with a K.C.M.G.

For him everybody predicted a brilliant future.

The Press gave prominence to his speeches, and to his house in Park Street came Cabinet Ministers and most of the well-known men of his party.

Indeed, it was an open secret in a certain circle that he had been promised a seat in the Cabinet in the near future.
Then, at the very moment of his popularity, a terrible tragedy had occurred.