‘WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 103

 

we can only keep her two years longer; that is
what troubles me most.’’

‘¢We must do our duty by her,” said Edith, en-
deavouring 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 asigk, ‘‘ Oh, howthe 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 pos-
sible. 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.” 7

“As things now appear, I do not see what else
remains for us todo. Ah me! How like light-
ning from a summer sky has this flashed sud-
denly 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