176 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

‘Better to us than all our fears,’ murmured
Claire, as he handed the letter to his wife, who read
it with a truly thankful heart.

“Our way is smooth once more,” she said, smil-
ing through outpressing tears—‘‘ the mountain has
become a level plain. All the dark clouds have
been swept from our sky, and the sun is shining
even more brightly than of old.”’

It was more than a week before Claire was suf-
ficiently recovered to go out and attend to business
as usual. At the first opportunity, he called upon
Mr. Jasper, who received him with marked kindness
of manner.

‘¢T do not, now,” said the merchant, “ entertain
the same views in regard to my ward that I did
some time ago. Your opposition to my wishes then,
fretted me a good deal; and I made up my mind,
decisively, that so soon as she was twelve years of
age, you must give her up. It was from this feel-
ing that I acted when I refused to pay your last or-
der. Since then, I have reflected a good deal on
the subject ; and reflection has modified, consider-
ably, my feelings. 1 can understand how strong
must be the attachment of both yourself and wife,
and how painful the thought of separation from a
long-cherished object of affection.”

“The dread of separation, Mr. J asper,”’ replied
Claire, “has haunted us during the last two years
like an evil spirit.”

‘Tt need haunt you no more, Edward,” was
the kindly spoken reply. “ If you still wish to
retain the care of this child, you are free to do

9?

80.