The minds of Claire and his wife were yet in a state of suspense, when, some weeks after the first interview, the former received a politely worded note from Jasper, requesting him to call at his store. He went, accordingly, and Jasper received him with marked suavity and kindness of manner, and, after making a few inquiries about his family, said--
"Edward: I believe I must confess to having been a little over-excited at our last interview. The fact is, I had forgotten all about that contract; and when you brought it to my mind so abruptly, I was thrown somewhat off of my guard, and said things for which I have since felt regret. So let what is past go. I now wish to have another talk with you about Fanny Elder. How is the child?"
"She is very well."
"And she has grown, I presume, finely?"
"Yes. She's now quite a stout girl."
"What kind of a child is she? Docile and obedient?"
"None could be more so. A sweeter disposition I have never seen."
"How are you getting on now, Edward?" Mr. Jasper's voice was kind and insinuating.
"Comfortably," was answered.
"What is your salary?"
There was a momentary hesitation on the part of Claire, and then he replied--
"Five hundred dollars."
"Is that all? I was under the impression that you received a thousand. I am very certain that some one told me so. Too little, Edward--too little. You are worth more than that to any one. Are you acquainted at Edgar & Co.'s?"
"No."
"I wish you were. One of their young men is going to leave, and they will have to fill his place immediately. The salary is twelve hundred."
Claire's heart gave a quick bound.
"Shall I speak to Edgar for you?" added the merchant.
"If you will do so, Mr. Jasper," said Edward, with a sudden earnestness of manner, "I shall be greatly indebted to you. I find it a little difficult to get along on five hundred dollars a year."
"How much family have you now?"
"Three children."
"Indeed. Oh yes, you should have a higher salary. I know you would just suit Edgar & Co., and I think the place may be secured for you."
A few moments of silence followed, and then Jasper resumed--
"But, as just said, I wish to talk with you about this ward of mine. Your salary is so light that you, no doubt, find the income received through her quite a help to you?"
"No--no," replied Claire; "it costs for her boarding, clothes, schooling, etc., quite as much as we receive."
"It does?" Jasper manifested some surprise.
"Oh yes. We have no wish to make any profit out of her."
"That being the case, Edward," said the merchant, "why are you so reluctant to give her up?"
"Because," was the reply, "both myself and wife have become strongly attached to her. In fact, she seems like one of our own children."
"When she is twelve, you know," Edward, returned Jasper, "you will have to resign her. Our agreement only extends to that time." He spoke in a mild, insinuating, friendly tone of voice. So much so, in fact, that Claire, well as he knew him, was partially deceived and thrown off of his guard.
"True; unless you have seen reason by that time, which we hope will be the case, to let her remain in her present home. Believe me, Mr. Jasper,"--Claire spoke earnestly--"that Fanny will take the parting very hard, if ever it comes."
"As come it must, Edward, sooner or later," was the mild, yet firm response.
"Are you so earnest about this, Mr. Jasper? I have flattered myself that you did not really care a great deal about having Fanny."
"I am entirely in earnest, Edward," was the reply. "I may have seemed to you indifferent about this child, but such has not been the 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 change that passed over the merchant. He, too, sprang to his feet, and conscious that his offer of bribery, which he had humiliated himself to make, had failed, with clenched hand and set teeth, he fairly hissed out--
"You'll rue this day and hour, Edward Claire--rue it even to the moment of death! I will never forget nor forgive the wrong and insult. Don't think to escape me--don't think to foil me. The child is mine by right, and I will have her, come what will."
Feeling how useless it would be to multiply words, Claire turned away and left the store. He did not go home immediately, as he had thought of doing, in order to relieve the suspense of his wife, who was, he knew, very anxious to learn for what purpose Jasper had sent for him; but went to his place of business and laid the whole substance of his interview before his fast friend, Mr. Melleville, whose first response was one of indignation at the offer made by Jasper to buy him over to his wishes with money. He then said--
"There is something wrong here, depend upon it. Was there much property left by the child's parents?"
"Two houses in the city."
"Was that all?"
"All, I believe, of any value. There was a tract of land somewhere in the State, taken for debt; but it was considered of little account."
"Regard for the child has nothing to do with this movement," remarked Mr. Melleville. "The character of Jasper precludes the supposition."
"Entirely. What can it mean? The thing comes on me so suddenly that I am bewildered."
Claire was distressed.
"You are still firm in your purpose to keep Fanny until she is twelve years old?"
"As firm as ever, Mr. Melleville. I love the child too well to give her up. If a higher good to her were to be secured, then I might yield--then it would be my duty to yield. But, now, every just and humane consideration calls on me to abide by my purpose--and there I will abide."
"In my mind you are fully justified," was the reply of Mr. Melleville. "Keep me fully advised of every thing that occurs, and I will aid you as far as lies in my power. To-day I will call upon Edgar & Co., and do what I can toward securing for you the place said by Jasper to be vacant. I presume that I have quite as much influence in this quarter as he has."