"What, then, had we best do?" asked Claire, his thought turning earnestly to the subject under consideration.
"What will be best for Fanny? That should be our first consideration," said his wife. "Will it be best for her to remain with us, or to go into Mr. Jasper's family?"
"That is certainly a grave question," returned Claire, seriously, "and must be viewed in many aspects. Mr. Jasper's place in the world is far different from mine. He is a wealthy merchant; I am a poor clerk. If she goes into his family, she will have advantages not to be found with us—advantages of education, society, and position in life. To keep her with us will debar her from all these. Taking this view of the case, Edith, I don't know that we have any right to keep her longer, particularly as Mr. Jasper has signified to us, distinctly, his wish, as her guardian, to take her into his own family, and superintend her education."
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."