"You didn't seriously think of coming out here to live, did you ?" She was wondering where her chance for social exchange would come in--her opportunity to shine.

Suppose her Frank were to be very rich; suppose he did make very much money--much more than he had ever had even in the past--what good would it do her here?
In Philadelphia, before his failure, before she had been suspected of the secret liaison with him, he had been beginning (at least) to entertain in a very pretentious way.

If she had been his wife then she might have stepped smartly into Philadelphia society.

Out here, good gracious! She turned up her pretty nose in disgust.

"What an awful place!" was her one comment at this most stirring of Western boom towns.
When it came to Chicago, however, and its swirling, increasing life, Aileen was much interested.