, in order to speak a good word for Edward; but learned, not a
little to his surprise, that no vacancy was anticipated in the house.
"Mr. Jasper," said he, "told one of my young men that a clerk had
left, or was about leaving you."
"It's a mistake," was the positive answer. "He may have meant some
other firm."
"All a wicked deception on the part of Jasper," said Melleville to
himself, as he left the store. "A lie told with sinister purpose. How
given over to all baseness is the man!"
Claire was no little disappointed when this was told him; but his
answer showed how he was gaining in just views of life; and how he
could lean on right principles and find in them a firm support.
"I would rather," said he, "be the deceived than the deceiver. The one
most wronged in this is Leonard Jasper. Ah! is he not preparing for
himself a sad future? As for me, I am more and more satisfied, every
day, that all events, even to the most minute, are in the direction or
permission of Providence; and that out of the very occurrences we deem
afflictive and disastrous, will often arise our greatest good. For the
moment I was disappointed; but now I feel that it is all right."
No change of marked importance occurred in the family of Claire during
the next two years, to the close of which period both he and his wife
looked with increasing earnestness of mind.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141