Kent interfered, insisting upon Robert's returning to his cabin,
and in his presence forbidding Mr. Kent again to raise his hand
against one servant on the plantation; Mr. Carter's will,
allowing Mr. Kent no authority over his servants, and commending
them to his daughter's kindness and care, showed great
discrimination of character. This, though, has been a constant
source of irritation to Mr. Kent, and he has never been kind to
the people. Mrs. Kent, usually so timid, was roused into anger by
his treatment of Robert, and interfered, as I have related to you.
She told me of this, and said how unhappy it had made her, though
she could not blame herself. Since then there has only been a
formal politeness between them; Mr. Kent not forgiving his wife
for the part she took against him. Poor little woman! Robert had
been her father's faithful nurse in his long illness, and I do not
wonder at her feelings on seeing him struck.

"Yesterday the will was read, and Dr. Lawton, who was present,
informed us of the result. Mrs. Kent has left most of her property
to her husband, but her servants free! The plantation is to be
sold, and the proceeds expended in preparing those who are willing
to go to Liberia, or where they choose; as they cannot,
manumitted, remain in Virginia. The older servants, who prefer
staying in Virginia as they are, she has left to you, with an
allowance for their support, considering you as a kind of
guardian; for in no other way could she have provided for their
staying here, which they will like better.

"Who would have thought she could have made so wise a will?

"Dr. Lawton says that Mr. Kent showed extreme anger on hearing it
read. He intends returning to the North, and his $30,000 will be a
clear gain, for I am told he had not a cent when he married her.

"Write me when you have fixed the time for your return, and
believe me, with love to all,

"Your affectionate relative,
JANET WILMER."

Bacchus entered in time to hear the latter part of this letter. He had his
master's boots in his hands. When Mrs. Weston stopped reading, he said,
"That's good; bound for Mister Kent. I'm glad he's gwine, like Judas, to
his own place."

CHAPTER XXV.

The carriage was slowly ascending the road to the old church, a familiar
and dear object to each member of the Weston family