“Let it be then, as you wish, Edith.”

“How providential this increase of our income, Edward!” said his wife, soon afterward, while the subject of taking Fanny into their little household was yet the burden of their conversation.  “We shall gain here all, and more than all that will be lost in giving up your situation with Mr. Jasper.  Did I not say to you that good would come of this guardianship; and is there not, even now, a foreshadowing of things to come?”

“Perhaps there is,” replied Edward thoughtfully.  “But my eye of faith is not so clear as yours.”

“Let me see for you then, dear,” said Edith, in a tender voice.  “I am an earnest confider in the good purposes of our Heavenly Father.  I trust in them, as a ship trusts in its well-grounded anchor.  That, in summing up the events of our life, when the time of our departure comes, we shall see clearly that each has been wisely ordered or provided for by One who is infinitely good and wise, I never for an instant doubt.  Oh, if you could only see with me, eye to eye, Edward!  But you will, love, you will—­that my heart assures me.  It may be some time yet—­but it will come.”

“May it come right speedily!” was the fervent response of Edward Claire.

CHAPTER VII.

“Well, Edward, what does your wife say?” Such was the inquiry of Jasper, immediately on the return of his clerk from dinner.

“There will be no difficulty, so far as she is concerned,” the young man answered.

“None, did you say, Edward?”

“None.  She is willing to take the child, under the arrangement you propose.”

“That is, for three hundred dollars a year, to find her in every thing?”

“Yes; until she is twelve years of age.”

“So I understand it.  After that, as the expense of her clothing and education will increase, we can make a new arrangement.  Very well.  I’m glad you have decided to take the child.  It won’t cost you six dollars a week, for the present, I am sure:  so the additional income will be quite a help to you.”

“I don’t know how that will be.  At any rate, we are willing to take the child into our family.”

“Suppose then, Edward, we mutually sign this little agreement to that effect, which I have drawn up.”

And Jasper took a paper from his desk, which he handed to Edward.

“I’ve no objection,” said the latter, after he had read it over.  “It binds me to the maintenance of the child until she is twelve years of age, and you to the payment therefor of three hundred dollars a year, in quarterly payments of seventy-five dollars each.”

“Yes, that is the simple statement of the matter.  You see, I have prepared duplicates:  one for you, and one for myself.  I will sign them first.”

And Jasper took a pen and placed upon each of the documents his sign-manual.

Claire did the same; and a clerk witnessed the signatures.  Each, then, took a copy.  Thus, quickly and fully, was the matter arranged.