The House of Mammon by Fred M. White

By the time Marlton Grange was reached, Sairson had cast off his gloomy forebodings. After all, what was there to be afraid of? He was not the first man whose life had been threatened by a needy desperado full of imaginary wrongs. Usually people put an end to these worries through the medium of the police, but there were urgent reasons why Sairson could not resort to that method. At any rate, there was nothing to be afraid of for the present. He had a distinct feeling that he was taking a big stride forward. The county might turn their backs on him in contempt, but they would not be less ready to do so when they saw friendly relations established between the Grange and Laurisdale Castle. Laurisdale might be next door to an idiot but socially he was still a power in the land.

It was a source of irritation that his wife and daughters had not managed this long ago. He was absolutely incapable of understanding why they shrank from publicity. Why did they not push themselves as other women did? They had plenty of money to spend and a good house in which to entertain their friends. For their sakes he was taking a hand in the game, and it seemed to him that his wife and daughters should be grateful for his efforts. It would cost him a pretty penny, too. By and bye they would get as far as Cumberledge Royal, where the Duchess of Rochdale held sway, and after that it should be plain sailing.