“I will tell you,” he answered, tenderly. “When you met me on board that ill-fated steamer I was a very rich man. When it was wrecked, and I had discovered that you were the grandchild of the only woman whom I ever loved, and also what a kind, tender little heart you had, I formed a sudden resolution. I had always, as I told you last night, been flattered and cajoled by my relatives, who knew I was rich, and I resolved that I would test their sincerity. If they stood it, I would divide my fortune into three portions, one of which should be yours, the others theirs. If they did not, it should _all_ be yours, if _you_ proved the true, noble character which I believed you to be. That was one reason why I was so keenly disappointed to find you gone when I went to bid you farewell on the steamer; but I meant to search for you all the same. And so I pretended to be the poor old man whom you remember coming to Ellen Richards’ that night. You know the result. No one was true to me or kind to me but my Star. Yet I had become so suspicious of everybody, that I resolved to study even you thoroughly before I committed myself; and so I concluded to wait until you had completed your education before telling you of my actual position in life. It was very hard, though, when you were in such trouble that last night in Yonkers, when you told me your secret about writing your book, and offered to share your little all with me ‘because I was not happy there,’ and I was sorely tempted to tell you all, surround you at once with everything to make life beautiful, and place you in a position far above the daughter of the woman who had treated you so shamefully. On second thought, however, I deemed it best to wait until your education should be completed, for then you would be more free to enjoy the good things of life.” “Then you have not been poor at all?” faltered Star, as he paused for a moment. “No; I have had abundance. I own this house, and have for years. I own a block on Broadway, and—well, little one, there is enough to enable you and me to do pretty much as we like for the remainder of our lives,” he answered, with a fond smile. “Then I cannot take care of you. I thought I was going to make _you_ so comfortable, and that, with teaching and the income from my book, we could have such nice times together,” Star said, wistfully, and hardly able, even yet, to comprehend the change in her circumstances. Mr. Rosevelt patted her softly on the shoulder, though a tear sprang to his eyes at her words. “No, dear,” he returned; “you cannot take care of me in that way. I am going to take care of you; but you can still make me so comfortable. We can still have nice times together, and I shall be very proud to introduce the young authoress of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ as my _ward and future heiress_.