Elder?"
"I cannot do it, Mr. Jasper."
"Speak positively. Will you, or will you not do as I wish?"
"I will not," was the decided answer.
"Enough." And Jasper turned away, muttering in an undertone, "We'll
soon see who is to be master here."
Claire lingered a short time, but, as Jasper showed no disposition
to renew the conversation, he left the store, greatly disturbed and
troubled in his mind.
CHAPTER XI.
When Edward Claire and his wife drew together on the evening of that
day, after the children were in bed, both were calmer than at their
previous interview on a subject that necessarily brought with it
strong excitement of feeling. Both had thought much and felt much, and
were now prepared to look calmly at the new relation affairs had so
suddenly assumed. At dinner-time, Edward had related the substance of
his interview with Jasper.
"What can he do?" asked Edith, referring now to the muttered threat of
that individual.
"I don't know that he can do any thing more than withhold the regular
sums heretofore paid for the support of Fanny. If he does that, I will
collect them legally."
"Can't he take her away by force? Won't the law compel us to give her
up?" asked Edith, in a troubled voice.
"Our contract gives us a right to her possession until she is twelve
years of age.
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