WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 189

 

It cannot, it cannot be. You are my own, my only
mother.”

“You did not receive your life through me, Fan-
ny,” replied Mrs. Claire, so soon as she could com-
mand her voice,for she too was overcome by feel-
ing—‘but in all else I am your mother; and I love
you equally with my other children. If there has

‘over been a difference, it has all been in your favour.”

“Why, why did you destroy the illusion under which
have so long rested?” said Fanny, when both were
more composed. ‘Why tell me a truth from which
no good can flow? Why break in upon my happy
ignorance with such a chilling revelation ? Oh, mo-
ther, mother! Forgive me, if 1 say you have been
cruel.”

“Not so, my child. Believe me, that nothing but
duty would have ever driven me to this avowal. You
are now at woman’s legal age. You have a guar-
dian, in whose hands your father, at his death, left,
for your benefit, some property ; and this person now
desires to settle the estate, and transfer to you what
remains.”

Bewildered, like one awakening from a dream,
Fanny listened to this strange announcement. And
‘twas some time before she really comprehended her
true position.

“Not your child—a guardian—property !—What
does it all mean? Am I really awake, mother ?”’

“Yes, dear, you are awake. It is no dream, be-
lieve me,” was the tender reply of Mrs. Claire. ‘ But,
remember, that all this does not diminish our love
for you—does not remove you in the least from our