Mark Gildersleeve: A Novel

The novel depicts life in the mill town of Belton, where a dramatic waterfall and its diverted waters drive factories and determine local fortunes. It follows the Obershaw family's long control of the water-power, the transfer of estate influence to a son-in-law, and the social stir caused by the patriarch's death and the distribution of wealth. Interwoven with industrial description are domestic scenes and personal bonds, including the devotion of a housekeeper who raised a young man, highlighting contrasts between avarice, duty, and affectionate loyalty.