we will walk in it because it is
the right way."

"And we will surely find it if we seek in this spirit," returned the
wife.

"What, then, had we best do?" asked Claire, his thought turning
earnestly to the subject under consideration.

"What will be best for Fanny? That should be our first consideration,"
said his wife. "Will it be best for her to remain with us, or to go
into Mr. Jasper's family?"

"That is certainly a grave question," returned Claire, seriously, "and
must be viewed in many aspects. Mr. Jasper's place in the world is far
different from mine. He is a wealthy merchant; I am a poor clerk. If
she goes into his family, she will have advantages not to be found
with us--advantages of education, society, and position in life. To
keep her with us will debar her from all these. Taking this view
of the case, Edith, I don't know that we have any right to keep her
longer, particularly as Mr. Jasper has signified to us, distinctly,
his wish, as her guardian, to take her into his own family, and
superintend her education."

Edith bent her head, thoughtfully, for some moments. She then said--

"Do you believe that Mr. Jasper gave the true reason for wishing to
have Fanny?"

"That he might superintend her education?"

"Yes."

"No, Edith, I do not. I believe a selfish motive alone influenced
him."

"You have good reasons for so thinking?"

"The best of reasons. I need not repeat them; they are as familiar to
you as they are to me."

"Do you believe that, under his superintendence, she will receive a
better education than under ours?"

"She will, undoubtedly, Edith, if remaining with us she fails to bring
the means of education. We are poor, Edith, and the claims of our
own children--bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh--must not be
forgotten."

A quick change passed over Edith. Her countenance became troubled. The
difficulties in the way of retaining the child were suddenly magnified
to her thoughts. Ah! how painfully did she feel that often the first
steps in the way of duty are among thorns.

"Can we be just to Fanny and just also to our own children?" asked
Claire.

"If we still received the old sum for her maintenance, we could. I
would not ask its increase to the amount of a single dollar."

"Nor I, Edith. Were we certain of having this continued, there would
be no doubt."

"There would be none in my mind. As for the higher position in society
which she would attain, as an inmate of M