Probably she too, with her clear common sense, saw the wisdom of the thing.

For as, as the earl said, he had a right to choose his own heir--and as even the world would say, what better heir could he choose than his next of kin--Captain Bruce's child?
What mother could resist such a prospect for her son?
She sat, her tears flowing, but still with a great light in her blue eyes, as if she saw far away in the distance, far beyond all this sorrow and pain, the happy future of her darling--her only child.
"Of course, Helen, I could pass you over, and leave all direct to that young man of yours, who is, if I died intestate, my rightful heir.

But I will not--at least, not yet.

Perhaps, if I live to see him of age, I may think about making him take my name, as Bruce-Montgomerie.

But meanwhile I shall educate him, send him to school and college, and at home he shall be put under Malcolm's care, and have ponies to ride and boats to row.