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."

"D