“I confess I am somewhat puzzled by this tangle,” rejoined her husband.  “But where there is both the will and the means to repair a wrong, it will be strange if a way cannot be found.”

“I would like to sell my diamonds, and all my other expensive ornaments, to buy that young man,” said she.

“That you can do, if it will be any gratification to you,” he replied; “but the few thousands I have invested in jewels for you would go but little way toward the full remuneration I intend to make, if he can be found.  We will send the young people out of the way this evening, and lay the case before a family council of the elders.  I should like to consult Blumenthal.  I have never known a man whose natural instincts were so true as his; and his entire freedom from conventional prejudices reminds me of my good father.  I have great reliance also on Mrs. Delano’s delicate perceptions and quiet good sense.  And our lively little Flora, though she jumps to her conclusions, always jumps in a straight line, and usually hits the point.”

As soon as the council was convened, and the subject introduced, Mrs. Blumenthal exclaimed:  “Why, Florimond, those slaves in ’The King Cotton’ were the ones you and Mr. Goldwin tried so hard to help them find.”

“Yes,” rejoined he; “I caught a hasty glimpse of one of the poor fellows just as they were seizing him with the cry of ‘Stop thief!’ and his Italian look reminded me so forcibly of the danger Flora was once in, that I was extremely troubled about him after I heard he was a slave.  As I recall him to my mind, I do think he resembled young Fitzgerald.  Mr. Percival might perhaps throw some light on the subject; for he was unwearied in his efforts to rescue those fugitives.  He already knows Flora’s history.”

“I should like to have you go to Boston with me and introduce me to him,” said Mr. King.

“That I will do,” answered Blumenthal.  “I think both Mr. Bell and Mrs. Fitzgerald would prefer to have it all sink into unquestioned oblivion; but that does not change our duty with regard to the poor fellow.”

“Do you think they ought to be informed of the present circumstances?” inquired Mr. King.

“If I were in their position, I should think I ought to know all the particulars,” replied he; “and the golden rule is as good as it is simple.”

“Mrs. Fitzgerald has great dread of her father’s knowing anything about it,” responded Rosa; “and I have an earnest desire to spare her pain as far as possible.  It seems as if she had a right to judge in the premises.”

Mrs. Delano took Mr. Blumenthal’s view of the subject, and it was decided to leave that point for further consideration.  Flora suggested that some difficulties might be removed by at once informing Eulalia that Gerald was her brother.  But Mrs. Delano answered:  “Some difficulties might be avoided for ourselves by that process; but the good of the young people is a paramount consideration.