Ancestors

A young, rich American girl, after traveling all over the world with a father addicted to periodical dipsomania, loses this father, and before returning to her California chicken ranch goes to visit her English relatives. Her cousin is in the House of Commons, but suddenly becoming a peer is forced into the House of Lords. He decides to go to America. The story deals with American politics and especially with the conditions in San Francisco. The great earthquake and fire of 1906 bring about changes in the lives of the chief actors.

Excerpt:

I happen to know that she has made up her mind to marry Lord Brathland."

"Bratty is a donkey."

"She would be the last to deny it, but he is certain to be a duke if he lives, and she would marry a man that had to be led round with a string for the sake of being called 'your grace' by the servants. She'll never be anything but a third-rate duchess, and people that tolerate her now will snub her the moment she gives herself airs. But I suppose she thinks a duchess is a duchess."

"Money goes pretty far with us," said Lady Victoria, dryly.

"Doesn't it? Nevertheless--you know it as well as I do--among the people that really count other things go further, and duchesses have been put in their place before this--you have done it yourself.