As her guardian, I feel it my duty to provide liberally for her comfort and education, and to this you, of course, can have nothing to object." And Claire did not object.

In a few weeks from that time he removed into one of the houses mentioned by Jasper--a larger and far more comfortable one than that in which he had lived for several years.
Here, with a thankful heart, he gathered his wife and children around him.

How happy they all were! Not selfishly happy--if such contradictory terms may be used--but happy in the warmth of mutual love.

A heaven on earth was this little household.

Shall we contrast it with that of Leonard Jasper?
No!--the opposite picture would leave upon the reader's mind too sad an impression; and we will not burden this chapter with another shadow..