He had become a power, solidly and steadfastly he had hewn his way into a little circle whose fascination had begun to tell in his blood.

Was he to fall without a struggle from amongst the high places, to be stripped of his wealth, shunned as a man who was morally, if not in fact, a murderer, to be looked upon with never-ending scorn by the woman whose picture for years had been a religion to him, and whose appearance only a few hours ago had been the most inspiring thing which had entered into his life?
He looked across the lawn into the pine grove with steadfast eyes and knitted brows, and Da Souza watched him, ghastly and nervous.

At least he must have time to decide! "If you send for him," Da Souza said slowly, "you will be absolutely ruined.

It will be a triumph for those whom you have made jealous, who have measured their wits with yours and gone under.

Oh! but the newspapers will enjoy it--that is very certain.