"Well, my dear, good Hepsey, you have helped me through a great many difficulties. If we can get the poor child away from her surroundings, you shall have the chance to try and save her." Hepsey was startled. This was rather beyond what she had thought of. Presently she asked, abruptly,— "What will she do with her thief of a husband?" "She must be made absolutely free from him, of course. I will take advice about it." "I suppose you're thinking of yer own home in the country, ma'am, and that is where I'm to train her," added Hepsey, with a sly glance into her young mistress's face. A rosy blush was the only reply. While Marion was hesitating to whom she should apply for advice in regard to poor Esther, Mr. Mitchell came home. He assured her that by the laws of the State the husband's incarceration in prison rendered the wife free from the marriage tie. He also comforted her by saying, that even if Esther were arrested, unless some one appeared against her, the case could not be carried on. Marion, however, with the recollection of the child's look of terror at the very thought of being arrested, was determined to prevent it if possible. Suddenly recalling to mind Mr. Lambert's promise to aid her in her works of charity, she sent James to his house to request him to call at his earliest convenience. When he came, which was almost immediately she was struck with a change in his appearance; and inquired, anxiously,— "Are you ill, sir?" "What makes you ask that? I'm in rollicking health and spirits." She doubted it, however, for even while talking with her he seemed to fall into fits of revery. "What a fool she was to marry so young!' he said, with a sneer; "but, as you say, that can't be helped now. My advice is, let him go to—anywhere that will keep him out of her way. But what is to be done with the child?" "I think Hepsey means to take her," replied Marion, showing all her dimples. "I hope she can be got off without going to court." "Hepsey, hem! Well, never fear. I'll see the judge and settle that. If he won't believe my word, I'll make him go to the stable, mount the ladder, and see for himself." He leaned back in his chair, laughing heartily but Marion noticed that there was no ring of mirth in his laugh. Suddenly she said, "O Mr. Lambert! Are you acquainted with Mr. Regy? I hear of him everywhere among the poor, and I long to see him." "Better not," he grumbled. "Take my word for it, he is a good-for-nothing fellow. I know him well." "You must be prejudiced, Mr. Lambert. His heart is just as warm as yours; indeed, in many things he must be like you: he delights to relieve suffering and he delights to—to—what shall I call it?" "Call it abuse; that's the right name. He's a hard-shelled old sinner. He tries to salve his conscience by giving away what he don't want. Keep clear of him, as you would of the plague. Now I must be going, or I sha'n't see that judge." CHAPTER VI. THE SIMPLE PRAYER,