What was to be done?
"Our first step," said Claire, after the stranger had retired, "must be to ascertain, if possible, whether what we believe to be true in regard to Fanny is really true.

We must know certainly, whether she be really in the hands of Mr.Jasper." "Where else can she be ?" asked Edith, a new fear throwing its quick flash into her face.
"We, naturally," replied her husband, "take it for granted that Mr.
Jasper has put his threat into execution.

There is a bare possibility that such is not the case; and we must not rest until we have, on this point, the most absolute certainty." "For what other purpose could she have been enticed away ?" said Mrs.
Claire, her face again blanching to a deadly paleness.
"We know nothing certain, Edith; and while this is the case, we cannot but feel a double anxiety.

But, I must not linger here.

Be as calm as possible, my dear wife, in this painful trial.