An Ambitious Man

While the Cheneys were known to be wealthy, and the Senator had

achieved political position, there was nothing in their situation to

challenge the jealousy of their associates. They moved in one of the

many circles of cultured and agreeable people, which, despite the

mandate of a M'Allister, formed a varied and delightful society in

the metropolis; they entertained in an unostentatious manner, and

there was nothing in their personality to incite envy or jealousy.

Therefore the career of the Baroness had not been unearthed. That

the widow of Judge Lawrence, the stepmother of Mrs Cheney, was known

as "The Baroness" caused some questions, to be sure, but the simple

answer that she had been the widow of a French baron in early life

served to allay curiosity, while it rendered the lady herself an

object of greater interest to the majority of people.

Mrs Stuart, the rector's mother, was one of those who were most

impressed by this incident in the life of Mrs Lawrence. "Family

pride" was her greatest weakness, and she dearly loved a title. She

thought Mrs Lawrence a typical "Baroness," and though she knew the

title had only been obtained through marriage, it still rendered its

possessor peculiarly interesting in her eyes.

In her prime, the Baroness had been equally successful in cajoling

women and men. Though her day for ruling men was now over, she still

possessed the power to fascinate women when she chose to exert

herself. She did exert herself with Mrs Stuart, and succeeded

admirably in her design.

And one day Mrs Stuart confided her secret anxiety to the ear of the

Baroness; and that secret caused the cheek of the listener to grow

pale and the look of an animal at bay to come into her eyes.

"There is just one thing that gives me a constant pain at my heart,"

Mrs Stuart had said. "You have never been a mother, yet I think your

sympathetic nature causes you to understand much which you have not

experienced, and knowing as you do the great pride I feel in my son's

career, and the ambition I have for him to rise to the very highest

pinnacle of success and usefulness, I am sure you will comprehend my

anxiety when I see him exhibiting an undue interest in a girl who is

in every way his inferior, and wholly unsuited to fill the position

his wife should occupy."

The Baroness listened with a cold, sinking sensation at her heart "I am sure your son would never make a choice which was not agreeable

to you," she ventured.