"Speak positively. Will you, or will you not do as I wish?"
"I will not," was the decided answer.
"Enough." And Jasper turned away, muttering in an undertone, "We'll soon see who is to be master here."
Claire lingered a short time, but, as Jasper showed no disposition to renew the conversation, he left the store, greatly disturbed and troubled in his mind.
CHAPTER XI.
When Edward Claire and his wife drew together on the evening of that day, after the children were in bed, both were calmer than at their previous interview on a subject that necessarily brought with it strong excitement of feeling. Both had thought much and felt much, and were now prepared to look calmly at the new relation affairs had so suddenly assumed. At dinner-time, Edward had related the substance of his interview with Jasper.
"What can he do?" asked Edith, referring now to the muttered threat of that individual.
"I don't know that he can do any thing more than withhold the regular sums heretofore paid for the support of Fanny. If he does that, I will collect them legally."
"Can't he take her away by force? Won't the law compel us to give her up?" asked Edith, in a troubled voice.
"Our contract gives us a right to her possession until she is twelve years of age. In that, the law will undoubtedly sustain us."