An Ambitious Man

The rector of St Blank's Church dined at the Cheney table or drove in

the Cheney establishment every week, beside which there were always

one or two confidential chats with the feminine Cheneys in the

parsonage on matters pertaining to the welfare of the church, and

occasionally to the welfare of humanity.

That Alice Cheney had conceived a sudden and consuming passion for

the handsome and brilliant rector of St Blank's, both her mother and

the Baroness knew, and both were doing all in their power to further

the girl's hopes.

While Alice resembled her mother in appearance and disposition,

propensities and impulses occasionally exhibited themselves which

spoke of paternal inheritance. She had her father's strongly

emotional nature, with her mother's stubbornness; and Preston

Cheney's romantic tendencies were repeated in his daughter, without

his reasoning powers. Added to her father's lack of self-control in

any strife with his passions, Alice possessed her mother's hysterical

nerves. In fact, the unfortunate child inherited the weaknesses and

faults of both parents, without any of their redeeming virtues.

The passion which had sprung to life in her breast for the young

rector, was as strong and unreasoning as the infatuation which her

father had once experienced for Berene Dumont; but instead of

struggling against the feeling as her father had at least attempted

to do, she dwelt upon it with all the mulish persistency which her

mother exhibited in small matters, and luxuriated in romantic dreams

of the future.

Mabel was wholly unable to comprehend the depth or violence of her

daughter's feelings, but she realised the fact that Alice had set her

mind on winning Arthur Stuart for a husband, and she quite approved

of the idea, and saw no reason why it should not succeed. She

herself had won Preston Cheney away from all rivals for his favour,

and Alice ought to be able to do the same with Arthur, after all the

money which had been expended upon her wardrobe. Senator Cheney's

daughter and Judge Lawrence's granddaughter, surely was a prize for

any man to win as a wife.

The Baroness, however, reviewed the situation with more concern of

mind. She realised that Alice was destitute of beauty and charm, and

that Arthur Emerson Stuart (it would have been considered a case of

high treason to speak of the rector of St Blank's without using his

three names) was independent in the matter of fortune, and so dowered

with nature's best gifts that he could have almost any woman for the

asking whom he should desire. But the Baroness believed much in

propinquity; and she brought the rector and Alice together as often

as possible, and coached the girl in coquettish arts when alone with

her, and credited her with witticisms and bon-mots which she had

never uttered, when talking of her to the young rector.