“That was highly honorable to her,” replied Mr. King; “but marriage with a slave is not valid in law.”

“So the Signor says,” rejoined Madame.  “I was so frightened and hurried, and I was so relieved when a protector offered himself, that I didn’t think to inquire anything about it.  Before Mr. Fitzgerald made his appearance, we had planned to go to Boston in search of you.”

“Of me!” he exclaimed eagerly.  “O, how I wish you had, and that I had been in Boston to receive you!”

“Well, I don’t know that anything better could be done than has been done,” responded Madame.  “The girls were handsome to the perdition of their souls, as we say in France; and they knew no more about the world than two blind kittens.  Their mother came here a stranger, and she made no acquaintance.  Thus they seemed to be left singularly alone when their parents were gone.  Mr. Fitzgerald was so desperately in love with Rosabella, and she with him, that they could not have been kept long apart any way.  He has behaved very generously toward them.  By purchasing them, he has taken them out of the power of the creditors, some of whom were very bad men.  He bought Rosa’s piano, and several other articles to which they were attached on their father’s and mother’s account, and conveyed them privately to the new home he had provided for them.  Rosabella always writes of him as the most devoted of husbands; and dear little Floracita used to mention him as the kindest of brothers.  So there seems every reason to suppose that Rosa will be as fortunate as her mother was.”

“I hope so,” replied Mr. King.  “But I know Mr. Royal had very little confidence in Mr. Fitzgerald; and the brief acquaintance I had with him impressed me with the idea that he was a heartless, insidious man.  Moreover, they are his slaves.”

“They don’t know that,” rejoined Madame.  “He has had the delicacy to conceal it from them.”

“It would have been more delicate to have recorded their manumission,” responded Mr. King.

“That would necessarily involve change of residence,” remarked the Signor; “for the laws of Georgia forbid the manumission of slaves within the State.”

“What blasphemy to call such cruel enactments by the sacred name of law!” replied the young man.  “As well might the compacts of robbers to secure their plunder be called law.  The walls have no ears or tongues, Signor,” added he, smiling; “so I think you will not be thrust in jail for having such an imprudent guest.  But, as I was saying, I cannot help having misgivings concerning the future.  I want you to keep a sharp lookout concerning the welfare of those young ladies, and to inform me from time to time.  Wheresoever I may happen to be, I will furnish you with my address, and I wish you also to let me know where you are to be found, if you should change your residence.  My father and Mr. Royal were like brothers when they were young men, and if my father were living he would