108 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

client advice that was to prevent an appeal to law,
did so from any unselfish friendliness. Nothing of
the kind. He saw a great deal to gain, beyond;
and, in his advice, regarded his own interests quite
as much as he did those of Jasper. He was not,
however, at this interview, able to induce the mer-
chant to attempt to settle the matter with Claire
by compromise. The most he could do was to get
him to promise, that, for the present, he would
make no effort to get the person of the child into
his possession.

Jasper, when he left his lawyer, was less satisfied
with him than he had ever been. In previous cases,
he had found Grind ready to prosecute or defend,
and to promise him the fullest success—though
success did not always come.

Several more consultations were held during the
succeeding two or three weeks, and, finally, Jasper
was brought over fully to his lawyer’s way of
thinking.

 

CHAPTER XII.

Tun 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.
Tle went, accordingly, and Jasper received him
with marked suavity and kindness of manner, and,
alae making a few inquiries about his family,
said—