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“‘'That’s a broad accusation, Mr. Jasper. Will you
go with me to your authority ?” E

Jasper was not just prepared for a response like
this; and he ‘cooled down, instantly, several de-
grees.

“* My authority is quite satisfactory,” he returned,
still manifesting angry feeling. “That you have
been slandering me is plain; and, also, betraying
the confidential transactions of thehouse. It is full
time we parted—full time. I didn’t dream that I
was warming an adder to sting me ?”’

‘I must insist, Mr. Jasper,” said Claire firmly,
“that you give me your authority for all this. Let
me stand fage to face with the man who has so
broadly acgifed me.”

“Then you"@eny it all ?”

“J shall neither affirm nor deny any thing. You
have angrily accused me of having done you a
great wrong. All I ask is your authority, and the
right to stand face to face with that authority. This
is no light matter, Mr. Jasper.”

“Well said, young man. It is nos light matter,
as you will, perhaps, know to your sorrow in the
end. Don’t suppose, for a moment, that I shall
either forget or forgive this outrage. Leave me oe
cause I cheat it my business!’ An expression
unmitigated contempt was off his face. “Poh!
What hypocrisy ! I know you! And let Mr. Melle.
ville beware. He, I more than Suspect, is at the
bottom of this. But he’ll rue the day he crossed
my path—he will !”

And Jasper ground his teeth in anger.

By this time, Claire had become entirely self-pos-