As for himself, he confessed to ambition,--yes, a great deal of ambition.
A failing, he supposed, but not the worst of failings.

He felt the instinct to handle the larger interests of society.

The village would perhaps lose sight of him for a time; but he meant to emerge sooner or later in the higher spheres of government or diplomacy.

Myrtle must keep his secret.

Nobody else knew it.