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Page 75
After the younger members of the family had retired on that evening,
Mr. and Mrs. Claire and Fanny were alone together. All three were in
a calmer state of mind. Fanny listened with deep attention, her hand
shading her countenance so as to conceal its varying expression, to
a brief history of her parentage. Of things subsequent to the time of
her entrance into her present home, but little was said. There was
an instinctive delicacy on the part of Claire and his wife, now that
Fanny was about coming into the possession of property, which kept
back all allusion to the sacrifices they had made, and the pain they
had suffered on her account, in their contentions with her guardian.
In fact, this matter of property produced with them a feeling of
embarrassment. They had no mercenary thoughts in regard to it--had
no wish to profit by their intimate and peculiar relation. And yet,
restricted in their own income, and with a family growing daily more
expensive, they understood but too well the embarrassment which
would follow, if any very important change were made in their present
external relations. To explain every thing to Fanny, would, they knew,
lead to an instant tender of all she possessed. But this they
could not do; nor had they a single selfish desire in regard to her
property. If things could remain as they were, without injustice to
Fanny, they would be contented; but they were not altogether satisfied
as to the amount they were receiving for her maintenance. It struck
them as being too much; and they had more than once conferred together
in regard to its reduction.
The first thing to be done was to make Fanny comprehend her relation
to Mr. Jasper, her guardian, and his wish to settle up the estate of
her father, and transfer to her, or her representative, the property
that remained in his hands.
"I will leave all with you, father," was the very natural response
made to this. "All I have is yours. Do just as you think best."
On the next day a power of attorney in the name of Edward Claire was
executed; and, as Jasper was anxious to get the business settled,
every facility thereto was offered. Claire examined the will of Mr.
Elder, in which certain property was mentioned, and saw that it agreed
with the guardian's statement. All the accounts were scrutinized; and
all the vouchers for expenditure compared with the various entries.
Every thing appeared correct, and Claire expressed himself entirely
satisfied. All legal forms were then complied with; and, in due time,
the necessary documents were prepared ready for the signature of
Claire, by which Jasper would be freed from the nervous anxiety he had
for years felt whenever his thoughts went forward to this particular
point of time.
On the evening preceding the day when a consummation so long and
earnestly looked for was to take place, Jasper, with his mind too much
absorbed in business troubles to mingle with his family, sat alone in
his library, deeply absorbed in plans and calculations. His confidence
in fortune and his own prudence had been growing weaker, daily; and
now it seemed to him as if a great darkness were gathering all around.
He had fully trusted in himself; alas! how weak now seemed to him
his human arm; how dim the vision with which he would penetrate the
future. He was mocked of his own overweening and proud confidence.
This was his state of mind when a servant came to the library-door,
and announced a gentleman who wished to see him.
"What is his name?" asked Jasper.
"He said it was no difference. He was a friend."
"It might make a great difference," Jasper muttered in an undertone.
"Show him up," he said aloud.
The servant retired, and Jasper waited for his visitor to appear. He
was not long in suspense. The door soon reopened, and a man, poorly
clad, and with a face bearing strong marks of intemperance and evil
passions, came in.
"You do not know me," said he, observing that the merchant, who had
risen to his feet, did not recognise him.
Jasper shook his head.
"Look closer." There was an air of familiarity and rude insolence
about the man.
"Martin!" exclaimed Jasper, stepping back a few paces. "Is it
possible!"
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