"I couldn't have been any better off than I was with Mrs. Taylor," replied the boy, turning to the woman.
The colonel took her hand, and expressed his gratitude to her for all she had done.
"He is a good boy, and I wish he was my son," said Mrs. Taylor. "I can't bear to think of losing him."
"You shall not be separated, and he and I both will see that you never want for anything while you live."
Mrs. Montague and Grace were sent for, and presently appeared.
"I am glad to see you, my boy," said the lady, as she took both his hands. "You are my son now."
"And did you know I was Colonel Montague's son before?" asked Robert.
"I knew it before I was married to him," she replied. "My husband always reproached himself—and now more than ever—because he concealed his first marriage from his father; but my brother and I always thought it right for him to do so."
"I know it was wrong," added the colonel, bitterly.
"Undoubtedly it was wrong in the abstract, but it was the least of two evils," said Mr. Barkesdale.