He had staked very high--staked, indeed, all that a man can stake in our complex civilization, and he had won! In the whole wide world there was only one human being who wished him ill.

This was an elderly woman, named Julia Pigchalke, who had been his late wife's one-time governess and companion.

She had been his enemy from the first day they had met, and she had done her utmost to prevent his marriage to her employer.

Even now, in spite of what poor Milly's own solicitor called his "thoughtful generosity" to Miss Pigchalke, the woman was pursuing Varick with an almost insane hatred.

About six months ago she had called on Dr.Panton, the clever young medical man who had attended poor Mrs.Varick during her last illness.