"
Claire looked, for some moments, steadily into his wife's face.
"You think, then, that we should make the usual application?"
"I have not said so, Edward. My mind is far from clear. Jasper may
not, now, want the trouble of Fanny. He doubtless had some purpose to
subserve when he demanded her; a purpose gained, probably, at the time
of her mysterious removal from the city, which I have always believed
was through his agency. If you were to send for the money, as usual,
it is more than probable that he would pay it."
"But, if he should refuse, and demand the child?"
"If his purpose to do this remains, and he has forgotten Fanny's age,
your omission to send for the money will be more likely to call his
thought to the subject, than your regular demand for the price of her
maintenance."
"True."
"And if he still means to have her, the execution of his purpose
cannot in any event be long delayed."
"No."
"Can _we_ unaided give her the education she is entitled to receive?"
Claire shook his head.
"Then had we not better continue to apply for the sum necessary to
her support and education. If Mr. Jasper is indifferent about her,
the money will be paid as usual; if he means to take her into his own
family, our failure to apply will defer but for a very short season
the evil day.
Pages:
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150