76 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

such services as he requires. Loss of self-respect, loss
of honour, loss of the immortal soul, are all involved.
Think of this, my dear husband! and do not for a
moment hesitate.”

But Edward did hesitate. This unexpected offer
of so important an increase in his salary had ex-
cited his love of money, temporarily quiescent. He
saw in such an increase a great temporal good ; and
this obscured his perception of a higher good, which,
a little while before, had been so clear.

<¢ Tam not so sure, Edith,” said he, “that all these
gad consequences are necessarily involved. Jam
under no obligation to deal unfairly with his custom-
ers. .My duty will be done, when I sell to them all
Ican at afair profit. Ifhe choose to take an excess
of profit in his own dealing, that is his affair.
need not be partaker in his guilt.”

«‘ Bdward !” returned his wife, laying her hand
upon his arm, and speaking in a low, impressive
voice—‘‘ Do you really believe that you can give sa-
tisfaction to Mr. Jasper in all things, and yet keep
a conscience void of offence before God and man ?

hink of his character and requirements—think of
the kind of service you have, in too many instances,

rendered him—and then say whether it will be pos-

sible to satisfy him without putting in jeopardy all
that a man should hold dear—all that is worth liv-
jing for? Oh, Edward! do not let this offer blind
ou for a moment to the real truth.”
«Then you would have me reject the offer ?”
«‘ Without an instant’s hesitation, Edward.”
“Tt is a tempting one. And then, look at the

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