Hester's great gift was song, but even her speaking voice was refined, pathetic, and with some uncommon notes in it, which always exercised a certain influence over those who listened to her. She told of Bet and Will, of their love and their despair; and the sad tale certainly lost nothing by her manner of telling it. Sister Mary no longer sat still; she rose to her feet, clasping and unclasping her white hands, her lips opening, as if she must arrest the speaker's words--as if she must pour forth some of the pent-up feeling which the story had aroused. "Then you believe," she said at last, "you firmly believe, that the man, the sailor with the blue eyes, whose face haunts me still, is innocent?--that he never stole my purse--that he is lying in prison now under a false charge? Oh, how glad I am! It seemed to shake my very faith to have to believe that a man with a face like that was really guilty." "He is innocent, sister. Will Scarlett told a true story. Dent gave him the notes because he wanted to get rid of them, and because he wanted to win Bet for himself. Isaac Dent is the thief, sister; my cousin Will is innocent." "But if you knew this, Hester Wright--if you were certain on this point," answered Miss Vallence, "why did you not come to the police-court the other day, and clear the sailor? Oh, I think it was cruel of you to stay away." "What's _my_ word, lady? I know it, but I can't prove it. The facts are all agin' Will--he's in the House of Detention now, and he says he's safe to get two year." "Two years' imprisonment, when another man did the deed!" "Yes, sister--he says he's quite sure." "But this is dreadful! I will speak to my father--you must tell your story to my father." "That'ull do no good, lady. Facts go agin' Will, and there's only one way of clearing him." "Oh, is there a way? How glad I am! You are a brave girl, Hester. Tell me at once about the way." "I can't tell you much, Miss Vallence, but I ha' come here to-day--I ha' come to say--yes, to say that we can't never clear Will, and that a plan I have got in my head can't be carried through without you." "Without me? Yes; I will certainly help--tell me what I can do." "I can't lady--not yet-the time ain't ripe yet; but ef you'll trust a lass like me, and give a promise, then I can carry out my plan. And ef it succeeds Will will be cleared, and Bet won't be tied for life to a villain; and a bad man--perhaps two bad men--'ull meet what they deserve. Oh," continued Hester, "I never said as I believed in God--I never went in for being a good 'un in any sense; but I think I do believe in Him now--I think I do. Trust, and He will bring it to pass. Lady," here Hester resumed her usual manner, "I ha' come to ask you to give me a promise in the dark."