If you remain, your salary will be increased to six hundred and fifty dollars." To Claire had now come another hour of darkness.

The little strength, just born of higher principles, was to be sorely tried.

Gold was in one scale, and the heavenly riches that are without wings in the other.

Which was to overbalance?
The moment Claire entered the presence of his wife, on returning home that evening, she saw that a change had taken place--an unfavourable change; and a shadow fell upon her pure spirit.
"I spoke to Mr.Jasper about leaving him," he remarked, soon after he came in.
"What did he say ?" inquired Edith.
"He does not wish me to go." "I do not wonder at that.

But, of course, he is governed merely by a selfish regard to his own interests." "He offers to increase my salary to six hundred and fifty dollars," said Edward, in a voice that left his wife in no doubt as to the effect which this had produced.
"A thousand dollars a year, Edward," was the serious answer, "would be a poor compensation for such services as he requires.