For him their doors stood open in vain.

The path of danger lay in another direction.
He would have to be taken unawares.

If betrayed at all, it must be, so to speak, in the house of a friend.

The Delilah of "good society" must put caution and conscience to sleep and then rob him of his strength.
The rising man at the bar of a great city who had already served two terms in Congress could not long remain in social obscurity; and as it gradually became known in the "best society" that Mrs.Ridley stood connected with some of the "best families" in the State, one and another began to call upon her and to court her acquaintance, even though she was living in comparative obscurity and in a humble way.
At first regrets were returned to all invitations to evening entertainments, large or small.

Mr.Ridley very well understood why his wife, who was social and naturally fond of company, was so prompt to decline.