"I do remember, now, something of the kind. And so there was
a written contract?"
"Yes, sir; and I have a copy in your own hand."
"And I am to understand, Edward, that notwithstanding my wish, as
the child's legal guardian, and, therefore, the representative of
her parents, to have her in my own family, that you will interpose a
hasty-signed contract?"
"Mr. Jasper," said the young man, changing his manner, "we have had
this child in our family for over five years, and have grown strongly
attached to her. In fact, she seems to us as one of our own children;
and we, to her, are in the place of parents. To remove her would,
therefore, be doing a great violence to our feelings, and I know it
would make her unhappy. Let her remain where she is, and you may rest
assured that she will be cared for as tenderly as our own."
"No, Edward, it is no use to talk of that," replied Jasper,
positively. "I wish, now, to have her in my own family, and trust that
you will not stand for a moment in the way."
"But, Mr. Jasper"--
"It will be of no avail to argue the point, Edward," said the
merchant, interrupting him. "I was fully in earnest when I wrote to
you, and am no less in earnest now. I am certainly entitled to the
possession of my ward, and will not bear, patiently, any attempt on
your part to deprive me of that right.
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