Fanny had grown rapidly
during this time, and was now tall for her age--and still very
beautiful. In character she was every thing the fondest parents could
desire.
At last came the child's twelfth birthday. Neither Clare nor his
wife referred to the fact; though it was present to both their
minds--present like an evil guest. Must they now give her up? Their
hearts shrank and trembled at the bare idea. How plainly each read in
the other's face the trouble which only the lips concealed!
Never had Fanny looked so lovely in the eyes of Claire as she did on
that morning, when she bounded to his side and claimed a parting kiss,
ere he left for his daily round of business. Could he give her up? The
thought choked in their utterance the words of love that were on his
lips, and he turned from her and left the house.
As Claire, on his way to Mr. Melleville's store, came into the more
business portions of the city, his thoughts on the child who was
soon to be resigned, according to the tenor of his contract with her
guardian, he was suddenly startled by seeing Jasper a short distance
ahead, approaching from the direction in which he was going.
Happening, at the moment, to be near a cross street, he turned off
suddenly, in obedience to an instinct rather than a purpose, and
avoided a meeting by going out of his way.
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