Was he himself to blame?
Had his insensate craving for gold and power led him to neglect those other things in life which contribute more truly to man's happiness?
In other words, was his life a mistake?
Yes, it was true what this girl charged, he had been merciless and unscrupulous in his dealings with his fellow man.

It was true that hardly a dollar of his vast fortune had been honestly earned.

It was true that it had been wrung from the people by fraud and trickery.

He had craved for power, yet now he had tasted it, what a hollow joy it was, after all! The public hated and despised him; even his so-called friends and business associates toadied to him merely because they feared him.

And this judge--this father he had persecuted and ruined, what a better man and citizen he was, how much more worthy of a child's love and of the esteem of the world! What had Judge Rossmore done, after all, to deserve the frightful punishment the amalgamated interests had caused him to suffer?
If he had blocked their game, he had done only what his oath, his duty commanded him to do.