WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 177

 

“You have taken a mountain from my heart,
Mr. Jasper,” was the young man’s feeling response.

“Jt is settled, then, Edward, that she remains
with you. And now I must say a word about her
education. I wish that to be thorough. She must
have good advantages ; better than the sum now
paid for her maintenance will procure.’

Claire made no reply, and Jasper continued—

“TJ have this to propose. The bulk of property
left by her father 1s contained in two moderate-sized
houses, one of which is at this time without a te-
nant. It is a very comfortable house for a small
family. Just the thing, I should say, for you. If
you will move into this house, you shall have it rent
free, as a set-off to the increased charge Fanny will
be to you in future. The three hundred per annum
will be paid as usual. How will that do?”

«The compensation, I think, will be greater than
the service,” replied Claire.

“Not at all. During the next five or six years,
or until she gains her majority, you will find the
cost of clothing and education a constantly in-
creasing sum. I know more about these things
than you do. And I am very sure, since I under-
stand your relation to her, that twice this expendi-
ture. could not gain for her what she will have while
in your care. As her guardian, I feel it my duty
to provide liberally for her comfort and education,
and to this you, of course, can have nothing to
object.”

And Claire did not object. In a few weeks from
that time he removed into one of the houses men-
tioned by Jasper—a larger and far more comfort-