"But if the income is withheld ?" "We have not yet applied for it." Claire looked, for some moments, steadily into his wife's face.
"You think, then, that we should make the usual application ?" "I have not said so, Edward.

My mind is far from clear.

Jasper may not, now, want the trouble of Fanny.

He doubtless had some purpose to subserve when he demanded her; a purpose gained, probably, at the time of her mysterious removal from the city, which I have always believed was through his agency.

If you were to send for the money, as usual, it is more than probable that he would pay it." "But, if he should refuse, and demand the child ?" "If his purpose to do this remains, and he has forgotten Fanny's age, your omission to send for the money will be more likely to call his thought to the subject, than your regular demand for the price of her maintenance." "True." "And if he still means to have her, the execution of his purpose cannot in any event be long delayed." "No." "Can _we_ unaided give her the education she is entitled to receive ?" Claire shook his head.
"Then had we not better continue to apply for the sum necessary to her support and education.