"We must do our duty by her," said Edith, endeavouring to speak calmly, "during that time; and wean our hearts from her as much as possible, so that the giving of her up, when it has to be done, will cause as little grief as possible. Poor child! It will be hard for her to leave us, and go to her new home. That thought is beginning to pain me most." "And such a home! I have seen Mrs. Jasper frequently, and, if my observation is correct, she is no true woman. Dress, it seemed to me, was all she cared for; and there was a captiousness and ill-temper about her, at times, that was, to say the least of it, very unbecoming." "And to her care we must resign this precious one," said Edith, with a sigh. "Oh, how the thought pains me! Dear, dear child!" "The time is yet distant," remarked Claire--"distant by nearly two years. Let it be our duty to prepare her as fully for the new relation as possible. Two years is a long time--many changes will take place, and among them, it may be, a change in the purpose of Mr. Jasper. We will hope for this, at least; yet wisely prepare for a different result." "As things now appear, I do not see what else remains for us to do. Ah me! How like lightning from a summer sky has this flashed suddenly over us. But, Edward, we must not, in the strong trial of our natural feelings, permit ourselves to forget that dear Fanny is in the higher guardianship of One who is infinitely wise and good. If she is to pass from our care to that of Mr. Jasper and his family, it is through His permission, and He will bring out of it good to all." "I can see that in my understanding, Edith," replied her husband; "but, it is hard to _feel_ that it is so." "Very hard, Edward. Yet, it is something--a great deal--to have the truth to lean upon, even though it seems to bend under our weight. Oh! without this truth, it seems as if I would now fall to the ground helpless. But, let us try and view this painful subject in its brightest aspect. It is our duty to the child to keep her, if we can, until she passes her twelfth year." "Clearly," replied the husband. "And you think we can do so?" "We have two advantages--possession and a written contract guaranteeing the possession." "True." "These on our side, I think we have little to fear from Jasper. The great trial will come afterward." To this conclusion, that is, to retain Fanny until her twelfth year, if possible--they came, after once more carefully reviewing the whole subject; and, resting here, they patiently awaited the result. With what a new interest was the child regarded from this time! How the hearts of Claire and his wife melted toward her on all occasions! She seemed to grow, daily, more and more into their affections; and, what to them appeared strange--it might only have been imagination--manifested a more clinging tenderness, as if conscious of the real truth.