Claire shook his head.

“Then had we not better continue to apply for the sum necessary to her support and education.  If Mr. Jasper is indifferent about her, the money will be paid as usual; if he means to take her into his own family, our failure to apply will defer but for a very short season the evil day.”

Edith’s mind had become clear by this time.  Her husband not making an immediate reply, she added—­

“This acting on mere policy, is never, I think, the wisest.  Does it not clearly involve a distrust in Providence, and a weak reliance on mere human prudence?  There is a provision for Fanny’s support and education, and she is justly entitled to all those natural advantages which this provision was designed to give.  Under Providence, Mr. Jasper has been chosen her guardian; and under Providence the personal care of the child has fallen to our lot.  Thus far we have endeavoured to discharge our duty faithfully—­thus far we have done as well by the child as if she had been our own.  Now, if it is best for her to remain with us, the same Providence will so dispose of events as to provide for her remaining; but if it is best for her to go into the family of Mr. Jasper, she will go there.  Let us not, therefore, in our practical distrust of Providence, seek to hide ourselves from the observation of a mere creature.”

“I see much in this,” said Claire, as soon as his wife had ceased speaking.  “Man proposes; God disposes.  With Him are all our ways.  Out of the evil designs and selfish purposes of men, He is ever bringing forth good.”

“Then let us not fear to trust him.  As we have been doing, let us continue to do, confidently believing that He will overrule all for good.  To our present sight, it seems, that, unless we receive, as heretofore, a sum of money for Fanny’s support and education, we cannot do for her what is right.  This, at least, is my view.”

“And it is mine,” replied the husband.

“Then let us act from the light we have.  None can do better than this.”

And so it was determined to send an order to Jasper, as usual.

CHAPTER XV.

On the next day, a fellow-clerk, who had always performed this little service for Claire, took the order to Jasper.  With a nervous impatience that he found it impossible to repress, Claire awaited his return.  On his appearance, he said, with ill-concealed anxiety—­

“Did he pay the order?”

The young man shook his head.

“What!  Didn’t pay it?” Though half-expecting such a result, he was none the more prepared for it, nor the less disturbed when it was known.

“No; he said that the contract entered into with you for boarding the child was at an end three months ago.”

“What else did he say?”

“Nothing else.”

“Did he send no message to me of any kind?”

“None.  When I handed him the order, he pushed it back, and used the words I have repeated.  I waited a little while for some further remark, but he made none.”