political machine, while the Senator was still a newcomer in the field,
and with accurate judgment he had foreseen that Rexhill would be a
winner.

Quick to see opportunities, he had cultivated the latter's acquaintance
and courted his favor until he had become the Senator's most trusted
adherent, and was admitted to the closest intimacy, so that he had
become a constant visitor in the Rexhill home, and had definitely
determined in his own mind, to become one of the family. He knew well
enough that Helen disliked him, but his ideas of women had been gained
from association with a class that is easily dominated, and he was
confident of his own powers, which, in fact, were very considerable.

The Senator was not blind to the other's purpose, but though he was far
from approving it, having other ideas concerning the daughter he
idolized, he had not sought to discourage Moran, nor did he intend to.
He would let him go on until a crisis should come, and in the meantime,
Moran had not declared himself.

Helen's insolence at the door of the conservatory, however, had stung
Moran, and as soon as he had the Senator in seclusion, he broke out.

"Who is that puppy Helen has on a string to-night?" he demanded roughly.

But the Senator could overlook rudeness when it suited his purpose to do
so.

"I wouldn't call him a puppy exactly," he said, pleasantly enough; "he
is a good deal younger than you and I, but he comes of pretty good stock
in your town, Moran, and Stout tells me he has distinguished himself
already in two or three ways. I reckon he'd be a pretty good friend to
have, if he ever takes an interest in politics."

"Oh, I know the Wade family all right," said Moran impatiently; "they
belong to the silk stockings, but we have our own way of dealing with
that kind in New York, and I'm able to do the same thing anywhere else,
if I have to. Maybe I will have to if he comes between me and Helen.
Senator, I want to marry that girl myself. I ain't asking your consent,
exactly, for me and her will be likely to do what we want to, anyhow,
but I'd a heap rather have you favor the match."

That was almost too much, but the Senator knew his man and also knew
how valuable he was. There was no sense in breaking with him until it
was unavoidable, so he still spoke pleasantly, though he had flushed
with anger for a moment.

"Yes, I reckon you and Helen will do as you like about it, especially as
Helen likes. It was sort of decen