A book of half that merit, if written by a man in the position of Warbury when he started, would have established the reputation of a lifetime.

His influential friends would have referred to it in leaders, in magazine articles, in speeches, in sermons.

It would have run through numerous editions, and the author would have had nothing to do but to write another book and demand his price.

But the novel I'm speaking of was practically forgotten a year after its appearance; it was whelmed beneath the flood of next season's literature.' Marian urged a hesitating objection.
'But, under the circumstances, wasn't it in the author's power to make friends?
Was money really indispensable ?' 'Why, yes--because he chose to marry.

As a bachelor he might possibly have got into the right circles, though his character would in any case have made it difficult for him to curry favour.
But as a married man, without means, the situation was hopeless.