Thus began the revival of his former interest in art; the nucleus of that future collection which was to mean so much to him in later years.
On their return, the building of the new Chicago mansion created the next interesting diversion in the lives of Aileen and Cowperwood.
Because of some chateaux they saw in France that form, or rather a modification of it as suggested by Taylor Lord, was adopted.

Mr.Lord figured that it would take all of a year, perhaps a year and a half, to deliver it in perfect order, but time was of no great importance in this connection.

In the mean while they could strengthen their social connections and prepare for that interesting day when they should be of the Chicago elite.
There were, at this time, several elements in Chicago--those who, having grown suddenly rich from dull poverty, could not so easily forget the village church and the village social standards; those who, having inherited wealth, or migrated from the East where wealth was old, understood more of the savoir faire of the game; and those who, being newly born into wealth and seeing the drift toward a smarter American life, were beginning to wish they might shine in it--these last the very young people.

The latter were just beginning to dream of dances at Kinsley's, a stated Kirmess, and summer diversions of the European kind, but they had not arrived as yet.

The first class, although by far the dullest and most bovine, was still the most powerful because they were the richest, money as yet providing the highest standard.