His brother-in-law replied:  “I think Rosa is right about taking charge of Henriet and educating her.  But it seems to me the worst thing you could do for her or her husband would be to let them know that they have a claim to riches.  Sudden wealth is apt to turn the heads of much older people than they are; and having been brought up as slaves, their danger would be greatly increased.  If Henriet could be employed to sew for you, she might be gratified with easy work and generous wages, while you watched over her morals, and furnished her with opportunities to improve her mind.  If George survives the war, some employment with a comfortable salary might be provided for him, with a promise to advance him according to his industry and general good habits.  How does that strike you, Mamita?”

“I agree perfectly with you,” rejoined Mrs. Delano.  “I think it would be far more prudent to have their characters formed by habits of exertion and self-reliance, before they are informed that they are rich.”

“It gratifies me to have my own judgment thus confirmed,” said Mr. King.  “You have given the outlines of a plan I had already formed.  But this judicious process must not, of course, deprive the young man of a single cent that is due to him.  You are aware that Mr. Bell left fifty thousand dollars to his grandson, to be paid when he was twenty-two years of age.  I have already invested that sum for George, and placed it in the care of Mr. Percival, with directions that the interest shall be added to it from that date.  The remainder of Mr. Bell’s property, with the exception of some legacies, was unreservedly left to his daughter.  I have taken some pains to ascertain the amount, and I shall add a codicil to my will leaving an equal sum to George.  If I survive Mrs. Fitzgerald, the interest on it will date from her decease; and I shall take the best legal advice as to the means of securing her property from any claims, by George or his heirs, after they are informed of the whole story, as they will be whenever Mrs. Fitzgerald dies.”

“You are rightly named Royal King,” rejoined Mr. Blumenthal, “you do things in such princely style.”

“In a style better than that of most royal kings,” replied he, “for it is simply that of an honest man.  If this entanglement had never happened, I should have done as much for Gerald; and let me do what I will, Eulalia will have more money than is good for her.  Besides, I rather expect this arrangement will prove a benefit to myself.  I intend to employ the young man as one of my agents in Europe; and if he shows as much enterprise and perseverance in business as he did in escaping from slavery, he will prove an excellent partner for me when increasing years diminish my own energies.  I would gladly adopt him, and have him live with us; but I doubt whether such a great and sudden change of condition would prove salutary, and his having a colored wife would put obstructions in his way entirely beyond our power to remove.  But the strongest objection to it is, that such an arrangement would greatly annoy Mrs. Fitzgerald, whose happiness we are bound to consult in every possible way.”