Which course are you disposed to take ?" "I have no desire to harm you, Mr.Jasper--none in the world.

If the terms of settlement which you may offer are such as, under all the circumstances, I feel justified in accepting, I will meet your wishes.
But you must bear in mind that, in this matter, I am not acting for myself." "I know--but your judgment of the case must determine." "True--and in that judgment I will endeavour to hold an equal balance." The two men now retired from the lawyer's office; and, ere parting, arranged a meeting for that evening at the store of Jasper, where they could be entirely alone.

For two or three successive evenings these conferences were continued, until Claire was entirely satisfied that the merchant's final offer to transfer to the possession of Fanny Elder four houses, valued at five thousand dollars each, in full settlement of her father's estate, was the very best he could do; and far more than he would probably obtain if an appeal were made to the law.
As quickly as this transfer could be made, it was done.

Not until the long-desired documents, vouching for the equitable settlement of the estate, were in Jasper's hands, did he breathe freely.

Oh! through what an ordeal he had passed.