"
Edith bent her head, thoughtfully, for some moments. She then said--
"Do you believe that Mr. Jasper gave the true reason for wishing to
have Fanny?"
"That he might superintend her education?"
"Yes."
"No, Edith, I do not. I believe a selfish motive alone influenced
him."
"You have good reasons for so thinking?"
"The best of reasons. I need not repeat them; they are as familiar to
you as they are to me."
"Do you believe that, under his superintendence, she will receive a
better education than under ours?"
"She will, undoubtedly, Edith, if remaining with us she fails to bring
the means of education. We are poor, Edith, and the claims of our
own children--bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh--must not be
forgotten."
A quick change passed over Edith. Her countenance became troubled. The
difficulties in the way of retaining the child were suddenly magnified
to her thoughts. Ah! how painfully did she feel that often the first
steps in the way of duty are among thorns.
"Can we be just to Fanny and just also to our own children?" asked
Claire.
"If we still received the old sum for her maintenance, we could. I
would not ask its increase to the amount of a single dollar."
"Nor I, Edith. Were we certain of having this continued, there would
be no doubt.
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