But you must bear in mind that, in this matter, I am not acting for
myself."
"I know--but your judgment of the case must determine."
"True--and in that judgment I will endeavour to hold an equal
balance."
The two men now retired from the lawyer's office; and, ere parting,
arranged a meeting for that evening at the store of Jasper, where they
could be entirely alone. For two or three successive evenings these
conferences were continued, until Claire was entirely satisfied that
the merchant's final offer to transfer to the possession of Fanny
Elder four houses, valued at five thousand dollars each, in full
settlement of her father's estate, was the very best he could do; and
far more than he would probably obtain if an appeal were made to the
law.
As quickly as this transfer could be made, it was done. Not until the
long-desired documents, vouching for the equitable settlement of the
estate, were in Jasper's hands, did he breathe freely. Oh! through
what an ordeal he had passed. How his own pride, self-consequence, and
self-sufficiency had been crushed out of him! And not only in spirit
was he humbled and broken. In his anxiety to settle up the estate of
Mr. Elder, and thus get the sword that seemed suspended over his head
by a single hair, removed, he had overstepped his ability.
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