"What is the matter!" she exclaimed; "has father found out it was not you?"
"No; I wish he had."
"Then what makes you look so happy?"
"Clarice, I do believe the Lord Jesus has saved me, and made me His child."
They were simple words, but they told of a great change, and Clarice burst into tears.
"Why do you cry?" asked Owen, presently.
"Because I want the same; I see it has made you 'rich,' Owen."
"You can have it too, if you will. Only you must go to the Lord Jesus for it, as I did."
The rest of the breakfast passed almost in silence. Clarice could not speak, and it was not easy for Owen to tell of his new-found joy. They went down together to the shop, and the morning's work began. The boy's bright face was not unnoticed, though no one else asked him the reason of it.
A fortnight passed away, and Owen seemed no nearer being cleared. Norris was as disagreeable as ever, doing all he could to get the boy into trouble; but his unfailing truthfulness and integrity saved him from falling into the traps laid for him, and this angered Norris still more. Mrs. Hadleigh, too, continued as distant as ever, and was much annoyed to see the change in Clarice, which she attributed solely to her cousin's influence.