Another week was added; another and another.

A month had gone by.

And yet the days of a succeeding month came and went, the child still remaining in her old home.
Up to this time but brief allusions had been made by either Claire or his wife to the subject first in their thoughts.

They avoided it, because each felt that the other would confirm, rather than allay, fears already too well defined.
"It is strange," said Claire, as he sat alone with his wife one evening, some three months subsequent to the twelfth birthday of Fanny, "that we have heard nothing yet from Mr.Jasper." Edith looked up quickly, and with a glance of inquiry, into his face; but made no answer.
"I've turned it over in my mind a great deal," resumed Claire, thoughtfully; "but with little or no satisfactory result.

Once I thought I would call on him"-- "Oh, no, no! not for the world!" instantly exclaimed Edith.
"I see, with you, dear, that such a step would be imprudent.