he case.
I have feelings and purposes in regard to her which I cannot explain,
but which are near my heart. I see your position and that of your
wife, and I feel for you. If compatible with what I conceive to be
my duty, I would let her remain under your care. But such is not the
case. Surely, it will be far better for both you and Fanny for the
change that must come to be made now."

The calm, kind, insinuating manner of Jasper disarmed Claire, and made
him wish that he could meet the desire of his old employer, without
the painful breach in his home circle which must be the consequence.
With his eyes cast upon the floor, he sat silently communing with his
own thoughts for some time. The announcement of a vacancy in the house
of Edgar & Co., and the offer to try and get the situation for
him, had flattered his mind considerably. If he did not make some
compromise in the present case, he could count nothing on the
influence of Jasper. But, how could he compromise? There was but one
way--to give up Fanny--and that he was not prepared to do.

Seeing that the young man remained silent, Jasper said--

"Edward, I will make you this very liberal offer. Understand, now,
that I am deeply in earnest--that the possession of Fanny is a thing
of great moment to me; and that to gain this desired object, I
am prepared to go very far. If you will meet me in a spirit of
compromise, I will become as I was some years ago, your friend; and I
have the ability to aid any one materially. As just said, I will make
you this liberal offer:--Let me have the child now, and for the next
two years I will pay you the same that you have been receiving for her
maintenance."

Claire lifted his head quickly. There was already a flush on his
cheeks and a sharp light in his eyes.

"Stay--one moment," interrupted Jasper, who saw by the motion of his
lips that he was about replying. "I will pay you the whole sum, six
hundred dollars, in advance, and, in addition thereto, pledge myself
to procure for you, within three mouths, a situation worth a thousand
dollars per annum, at least."

This was too broad an attempt to buy over the young man, and it
failed. Starting to his feet, with a feeling of indignation in his
heart so strong that he could not repress it, he answered, with knit
brows and eyes fixed sternly and steadily on the merchant--"Leonard
Jasper! I thought you knew me better! I am not to be bought with your
money."

As sudden was the chang