The nurse herself, in her gown and petticoat of dark print, and white cap bordered with narrow lace, and carefully-kept hood of black velvet, sat sewing by the fire, making shirts for her sailor son, then far away in a man-of-war, toiling upon the sea. Esther was alone, so there was no obstacle in the way of Anne's errand. "Esther," she said, when she had delayed nervously for some time, in indifferent conversation, "I have come to ask you about a very grave matter, of which I only heard recently. A secret, Esther--you know--" She paused. Esther looked up gravely in her face, and then, rising, closed the door. "Mr. Norman?" she asked in a very low voice. "Yes," said Anne. "You know it all, Esther?" "God be thanked that has put it in your heart to ask," said the nurse, solemnly. "Yes, Miss Anne, I ken. It has been lying heavy on my heart since ever that cloud fell upon my boy. I have looked to you--I have aye looked to. Ye are like your mother, and will not falter. Oh, Miss Anne! if ye but kent how it has lain upon my heart!" Anne looked at her inquisitively, uncertain how far her knowledge went, or whether it was safe to speak to her of Norman, as alive. "Ye are doubtful of me, Miss Anne," said Esther. "I see it in your eye. What of this story do ye ken yoursel? Have ye heard it _all_?" Anne faltered. "I do not know, Esther. I have heard--" "Let me tell ye what _I_ ken," interrupted the nurse, "and then ye can give me your full trust. I claim nothing less from your mother's bairn. Miss Anne, your brother Norman lies under the reproach of a black crime--the blackest that man can be blotted wi'. Folk think that he is dead, and he is guilty; he is not either the one nor the other. He is a living and an innocent man!" Anne's whole frame thrilled with joy as the words were said.--Solemn as was the testimony of the dead, and deeply as her hapless brother's self-defence moved her, the words seemed surer and more hopeful when a living voice pronounced them. "I want you to tell me everything, Esther," she said, eagerly.--"I have Norman's letter, and my father's testimony, but, except these, I have heard little. This morning I was in despair, because I knew that Norman lived, and believed that he was guilty. Now, I can do anything. His innocence is all I care for. Tell me what can be done to prove his innocence--rather, I should say, tell me every circumstance, Esther--tell me all you know."