An engrossing but rather tragic character study of a man who walked by himself. Shrewd, unscrupulous, but nevertheless likable, Louis Silver makes a fortune and marries a peer's daughter -- and both are slated for disaster. The story follows the pattern of their lives, as his materialism and cynicism wreck the marriage. It takes the acid fire of failure to bring Silver through as a stronger and better balanced individual. A well-constructed novel, a distinct appeal to thoughtful readers, this is an excellent psychological study and at the same time easy reading. Naomi Jacobs has a dependable though not a large following. They will like this one.