to the fore

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentences?

How many captains in the regiment have two thousand pounds to the fore? (W. Thackeray, “Vanity Fair”)

And all that day, during all the meetings and conferences, Lanwood had been a background figure noticed only by Mabi. But Mabi had himself been very much to the fore with Udono and had thus been unable to give the lonely Lanwood much comfort. (P. Abrahams, “A Wreath for Udono”)

to the fore = amount on hand, at hand, within reach, in someone’s presence

V.