"Keep quiet, you minx!" she cried savagely, "or I'll have you shut up. Where have you been after making an exhibition of yourself?"
"I have been looking at the cup," said Pearl, gaily. "It is on the altar. I am pleased the Master has given it again into my charge. He has forgiven me, and some day I shall be with Him in Paradise."
It was in Mrs Jeal's wicked mind to tell the truth to the girl. But she knew that Pearl would not accept the explanation. Besides, strange as it may seem, even Mrs Jeal had some compunction in making the girl miserable. The woman was evil to the core, but she must have had some good in her. Therefore she held her tongue on the subject of the cup.
"Where were you so early this morning?" she asked. "I found your bed empty at six o'clock."
"I went to the altar to find the cup brought down by the dear Master," replied Pearl, "and I was watching Sir Frank Hale and his sister going away. They drove with two horses and many boxes. I did not—"
Mrs Jeal jumped up and seized Pearl's arm. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Has Sir Frank Hale gone?"
"And his sister," said Pearl, twisting away with a frightened face. "They have left Colester and gone away—away, oh, far away! Oh! Oh! what are—"
"Hold your tongue," said Mrs Jeal, thrusting her into a chair, "and sit you there till I come back." She hurriedly put on her bonnet and shawl. "If you stir I'll kill you," and she hurried out of the house.
Pearl's news was true. There was no one in the Hale's house save an old woman who was to act as caretaker. She explained that Sir Frank and his sister had left early that morning, and by this time were on their way to London, whence they departed in a few days for the Continent.
"Did they leave no message for me?" asked Mrs Jeal, her face growing black as she clenched her hand.