"
"There would be none in my mind. As for the higher position in society
which she would attain, as an inmate of Mr. Jasper's family, that
might not be to her the greatest good; but prove the most direful
evil. She could not be guarded there, in her entrance into life, as we
would guard her. The same love would not surround her as a protecting
sphere. I tremble at the thought, Edward. How great would be her
danger! Fourfold would be her temptation, and tenfold her exposure."
"We will keep her," said Claire, firmly, as his wife ceased speaking.
"She must not be so exposed. God has given her to us; she is our
child, for we love her as tenderly as if she were of our own blood.
When her mother was taken, God transferred the love she had borne her
child into your bosom, and from that time you became her mother. No,
Edith, we must not let her go forth, in her tender innocence. We love
her as our own; let us share with her the best we have; let her become
more really our own than she has yet been."
"If," said Edith, after some moments, "we lose the regular income from
Mr. Jasper, Fanny will be deprived of most important advantages. Just
now we are about adding materially to the cost of her education."
"I know," replied Edward. "But if the income is withheld?"
"We have not yet applied for it.
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