The best clubs were closed to him; he had reached his possible summit
along that path in achieving membership in the recently and superbly
established Oligarchs Club, which was sumptuous, but over-vivid like a
new Oriental rug. As to other social advancement, his record was an
obstacle. Not that it was worse than, nor indeed nearly as bad as, that
of many an established member of the inner circle; but the test for an
outsider seeking admittance is naturally made more severe. Delavan Eyre,
for example, an average sinner for one of his opportunities and
standing, had certainly no better a general repute, and latterly a much
more dubious one than Marrineal. But Eyre "belonged" of right.
As sufficient indication of Marrineal's status, by the way, it may be
pointed out that, while he knew Eyre quite well, it was highly
improbable that he would ever know Mrs. Eyre, or, if he did fortuitously
come to know her, that he would be able to improve upon the
acquaintance. All this Marrineal himself well understood. But it must
not be inferred that he resented it. He was far too much of a
philosopher for that. It amused him as offering a new game to be played,
more difficult certainly and inferentially more interesting than any of
those which had hitherto enlisted his somewhat languid efforts.
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