“Edward!” exclaimed the old man, an expression of painful surprise settling on his countenance.

“It is all too true, Mr. Melleville—­all too true.  And I don’t think it good for me to remain with Mr. Jasper.”

“What does he give you now?”

“The same as at first.  Five hundred dollars.”

The old man bent his head and thought for a few moments.

“His system of unfair dealing toward his customers is your principal objection to Mr. Jasper?”

“That is one objection, and a very serious one, too:  particularly as I am required to be as unjust to customers as himself.  But there is still another reason why I wish to get away from this situation.  Mr. Jasper seems to think and care for nothing but money-getting.  In his mind, gold is the highest good.  To a far greater extent than I was, until very recently, aware, have I fallen, by slow degrees, into his way of thinking and feeling; until I have grown dissatisfied with my position.  Temptation has come, as a natural result; and, before I dreamed that my feet were wandering from the path of safety, I have found myself on the brink of a fearful precipice.”

“My dear young friend!” said Mr. Melleville, visibly moved, “this is dreadful!”

“It is dreadful.  I can scarcely realize that it is so,” replied Claire, also exhibiting emotion.

“You ought not to remain in the employment of Leonard Jasper.  That, at least, is plain.  Better, far better, to subsist on bread and water, than to live sumptuously on the ill-gotten gold of such a man.”

“Yes, yes, Mr. Melleville, I feel all the truth of what you affirm, and am resolved to seek for another place.  Did you not say, when we parted two years ago, that if ever I wished to return, you would endeavour to make an opening for me?”

“I did, Edward; and can readily bring you in now, as one of my young men is going to leave me for a higher salary than I can afford to pay.  There is one drawback, however.”

“What is that, Mr. Melleville?”

“The salary will be only four hundred dollars a year.”

“I shall expect no more from you.”

“But can you live on that sum now?  Remember, that you have been receiving five hundred dollars, and that your wants have been graduated by your rate of income.  Let me ask—­have you saved any thing since you were married?”

“Nothing.”

“So much the worse.  You will find it difficult to fall back upon a reduced salary.  How far can you rely on your wife’s co-operation?”

“To the fullest extent.  I have already suggested to her the change, and she desires, above all things, that I make it.”

“Does she understand the ground of this proposed change?” asked Mr. Melleville.

“Clearly.”

“And is willing to meet privation—­to step down into even a humbler sphere, so that her husband be removed from the tempting influence of the god of this world?”