On the next day, a fellow-clerk, who had always performed this little service for Claire, took the order to Jasper.

With a nervous impatience that he found it impossible to repress, Claire awaited his return.

On his appearance, he said, with ill-concealed anxiety-- "Did he pay the order ?" The young man shook his head.
"What! Didn't pay it ?" Though half-expecting such a result, he was none the more prepared for it, nor the less disturbed when it was known.
"No; he said that the contract entered into with you for boarding the child was at an end three months ago." "What else did he say ?" "Nothing else." "Did he send no message to me of any kind ?" "None.

When I handed him the order, he pushed it back, and used the words I have repeated.

I waited a little while for some further remark, but he made none." "Did he seem angry ?" "Not angry; but rather pleased, I should say.