k, it seems,
from appealing to old friends: you were living, like myself, from hand
to mouth; what could that child be to you but a drag and a bother?"

"And you will tell me, I suppose," said Waife, with an incredulous,
bitter irony, that seemed to wither himself in venting it, so did his
whole frame recoil and shrink--"you will tell me that it was from the
same considerate tenderness that you would have again filched her from
me some months later, to place her with that 'she-devil'
who was once more by your side; to be reared and sold to--O
horror!--horror!--unimaginable horror!--that pure helpless infant!--you,
armed with the name of father!--you, strong in that mighty form of man!"

"What do you mean? Oh, I remember now! When Gabrielle was in London, and
I had seen you on the bridge? Who could have told you that I meant to
get the child from you at that time?"

Waife was silent. He could not betray Arabella Crane; and Jasper looked
perplexed and thoughtful. Then gradually the dreadful nature of his
father's accusing words seemed to become more clear to him; and he
cried, with a fierce start and a swarthy flush: "But whoever told you
that I harboured the design that it whitens your lip to hint at, lied,
and foully. Harkye, sir, many years ago Gabrielle had made acquaintance
with Darrell, under another name, as Matilda's friend (long story
now--not worth telling); he had never, I believe, discovered the
imposture. Just at the time you refer to, I heard that Darrell had been
to France, inquiring himself into facts connected with my former story,
that Matilda's child was dead. That very inquiry seemed to show that he
had not been so incredulous of my assertions of Sophy's claims on him
as he had affected to be when I urged them. He then went on into Italy.
Talking this over with Gabrielle, she suggested that, if the child could
be got into her possession, she would go with her in search of Darrell,
resuming the name in which she had before known him--resuming the title
and privilege of Matilda's friend. In that character he might listen to
her, when he would not to me. She might confirm my statement--melt his
heart--coax him into terms. She was the cleverest creature! I should
have sold Sophy, it is true. For what? A provision to place me above
want and crime. Sold her to whom? To the man who would see in her his
daughter's child, rear her to inherit his wealth--guard her as his own
honour. What! was this the design t