singularly if erratically lucid, he could not feel assured that Arabella
Crane's ancient hate to Sophy (which, lessening in proportion to the
girl's destitution, had only ceased when the stern woman felt, with a
sentiment bordering on revenge, that it was to her that Sophy owed an
asylum obscure and humble) might not revive, if she learned that the
child of a detested rival was raised above the necessity of her
protection, and brought within view of that station so much Loftier than
her own, from which she had once rejoiced to know that the offspring of a
marriage which had darkened her life was excluded. For indeed it had
been only on Waife's promise that he would not repeat the attempt that
had proved so abortive, to enforce Sophy's claim on Guy Darrell, that
Arabella Crane had in the first instance resigned the child to his care.
His care--his--an attainted outcast! As long as Arabella Crane could see
in Sophy but an object of compassion, she might haughtily protect her;
but, could Sophy become an object of envy, would that protection last?
No, he did not venture to confide in Mrs. Crane further than to say that
he and Sophy had removed from Montfort village to the vicinity of London.
Time enough to say more when Mrs. Crane returned to England; and then,
not by letter, but in personal interview.

Once a month the old man went to London to inquire at the General Post-
office for any communications his correspondent might there address to
him. Only once, however, had he heard from Mrs. Crane since the
announcement of his migration, and her note of reply was extremely brief,
until in the fatal month of June, when Guy Darrell and Jasper Losely had
alike returned, and on the same day, to the metropolis; and then the old
man received from her a letter which occasioned him profound alarm. It
apprised him not only that his terrible son was in England--in London;
but that Jasper had discovered that the persons embarked for America were
not the veritable Waife and Sophy whose names they had assumed. Mrs.