What would she think of the man who deserted his partner, an old man, while life was yet in him, and safety close at hand?
Was it possible that he could ever escape the everlasting stigma of cowardice--ay, and before him in great red letters he saw written in the air that fatal clause in the agreement, to which she and all others would point with bitter scorn, indubitable, overwhelming evidence against him.

He gasped for breath and walked restlessly up and down the room.

Other thoughts came crowding in upon him.

He was conscious of a new element in himself.

The last few years had left their mark upon him.
With the handling of great sums of money and the acquisition of wealth had grown something of the financier's fever.