The very earnestness with which Claire mentally confirmed himself in his honest convictions, and especially his upward looking for strength in conscious weakness, showed that his mind was in temptation.  He had felt somewhat depressed during the day, in view of his external relation to the world; and this feeling was increased by his observation of the fact that Parker had been advanced to the position of a partner to his old employer.  It seemed like a reward for unfair dealing, while honesty was suffered to remain poor.  The young man’s enlightened reason—­enlightened during five years’ earnest search after and practice of higher truths than govern in the world’s practice—­strongly combated all the false arguments that were presented to his mind, during this season of his overshadowing.  The combat was severe, and still continued on his arrival at home—­causing his mind to be in a measure depressed.

CHAPTER X.

The increase of Claire’s family had caused him, some time before, to remove from the two comfortable rooms in which were passed the first pleasant years of his married life.  He now occupied a small house in a retired street, the rent of which, though moderate, drew pretty heavily on his income.  But he had managed, through the prudent co-operation of his wife, not only to keep even with the world, but to lay by a small sum of money.

Few homes, in the large city wherein dwelt this obscure family, were so full of all the elements of happiness.  If, sometimes, the spirit of Claire was overshadowed by passing clouds—­as would unavoidably happen from his contact with the world, and his own variant states—­the evening’s return to the bosom of his family, generally made all bright again.

Little Fanny Elder, now ten years of age, had been steadily growing into his affections from the first.  It is questionable whether his love for his own children was a purer passion.  Older, by several years, than Edith, she had been to him more companionable; and had ever greeted his return at evening with warmer expressions of pleasure than were manifested by Edith, or the two younger children who had been added to the number of his household treasures.

On this evening, as Claire drew nearer and nearer to his home, and his thoughts began to make pictures of the scene within, its light and warmth penetrated his feelings, and when he opened, at length, the door, he was himself again.

First to bound into his arms was Fanny Elder.  What a beautiful, fairy-like creature she was!  How more than fulfilled the promise of her early childhood!  Next came Edith, now six years of age, side by side with her brother Harry, a wild little rogue, and were only a few seconds behind Fanny in throwing themselves upon their father; while little baby Mary, as she sat on the carpet, fluttered her tiny arms, and crowed out her joyous welcome.