It was not until a couple of days after the disaster that Mrs. Russell was well enough to receive explanations from Ella as to how it was, she had disobeyed orders. Then the child came in for her full measure of reproach. It was in vain that Mrs. Snowden, who at heart was thoroughly glad to get rid of the monkey, pleaded her cause. Nothing she could say or do, had any power to allay the old lady's displeasure.
"No," she said sternly. "Ella has disobeyed me, and proved unworthy of my trust. Therefore she must suffer for it."
Poor Ella, they were indeed dark days for her just then.
Lodgings were found at last, and thither, when arrangements were all completed, Mrs. Russell and Ella removed.
Molly, who had found a situation in the neighbourhood without the least difficulty, came to see her old mistress before taking up her new duties.
"There's one thing, mum, I ought to have told you," said she, "and that is, a letter came from South Africa while you were in London the other day. I forgot to say anything about it to Miss Ella, but put it away safely just inside your work-basket."
"Then you mean to say it was destroyed in the fire, Molly?" said Mrs. Russell, looking much concerned.
"Yes, mum; worse luck, that's what I mean," replied the girl; "but perhaps there wasn't much in it," she added, with the endeavour to bestow a word of consolation.
But her well-meant efforts were wasted. Both Mrs. Russell and Ella were terribly distressed that so precious a missive should have been burnt up in the flames.
Ah! Had they known the contents of that letter, their hearts, instead of being heavy as lead, would have leapt for joy.