"Could he?" A flush of surprise lit up, for a moment, the face of Jasper. "What a question for _you_ to ask. Hasn't every man his price? Bought! Yes, I could buy him fifty times over." "Then do so, and in the quietest manner. That is my advice." "I'll steal the child!" exclaimed Jasper, rising up in his excitement, and moving uneasily about the room. Grind shook his head, as he replied-- "All folly. No man ever did a wise thing while he was in a passion. You must permit yourself to cool down a great many degrees before you can act judiciously in this matter." "But to be thwarted by him!" An expression of the deepest disgust was in the face of Jasper. "All very annoying, of course," was the response of Grind. "Still, where we can't make things bend exactly to our wishes, it is generally the wisest policy to bend a little ourselves. We often, in this way, gain a purchase that enables us to bring all over to our side." It must not be supposed that Grind, in giving his client advice that was to prevent an appeal to law, did so from any unselfish friendliness. Nothing of the kind. He saw a great deal to gain, beyond; and, in his advice, regarded his own interests quite as much as he did those of Jasper. He was not, however, at this interview, able to induce the merchant to attempt to settle the matter with Claire by compromise. The most he could do was to get him to promise, that, for the present, he would make no effort to get the person of the child into his possession. Jasper, when he left his lawyer, was less satisfied with him than he had ever been. In previous cases, he had found Grind ready to prosecute or defend, and to promise him the fullest success--though success did not always come. Several more consultations were held during the succeeding two or three weeks, and, finally, Jasper was brought over fully to his lawyer's way of thinking. CHAPTER XII. The minds of Claire and his wife were yet in a state of suspense, when, some weeks after the first interview, the former received a politely worded note from Jasper, requesting him to call at his store. He went, accordingly, and Jasper received him with marked suavity and kindness of manner, and, after making a few inquiries about his family, said-- "Edward: I believe I must confess to having been a little over-excited at our last interview. The fact is, I had forgotten all about that contract; and when you brought it to my mind so abruptly, I was thrown somewhat off of my guard, and said things for which I have since felt regret. So let what is past go. I now wish to have another talk with you about Fanny Elder. How is the child?" "She is very well." "And she has grown, I presume, finely?" "Yes. She's now quite a stout girl." "What kind of a child is she? Docile and obedient?" "None could be more so. A sweeter disposition I have never seen." "How are you getting on now, Edward?" Mr. Jasper's voice was kind and insinuating. "Comfortably," was answered.