"Will be given to you when the notes are in my hand. You can take me to Portfront with my boxes, as I then can catch the afternoon steamer to London. I have given up my cottage, and sold my furniture, and packed my things. To-morrow I'll take Pearl to Miss Tempest, and then we can drive to the bank." "You insolent woman!" raged Mrs Gabriel, but she was obliged to yield. For once in her life she had met a person of her own sex who had as bad a temper as herself. The two women had a royal battle, but in the end victory declared itself on the side of Mrs Jeal, and she departed in triumph. The next morning Sybil was informed that Mrs Jeal and Pearl were waiting to see her. Guessing the woman's errand, Miss Tempest descended. Mrs Jeal, perfectly respectful, dropped a curtsey. "I've brought you Pearl, my lady," she said. "I am not 'my lady,'" said Sybil, coldly. "You soon will be," smirked Mrs Jeal, "Lady Morven. Well, I don't grudge it to you. You're not so bad as some. Here's Pearl." Sybil took the hand of the poor creature, who was shedding tears at the thought of losing Mrs Jeal. "Don't cry, Pearl, you will be quite happy with me. Remember you have to look after the cup." Whereat Pearl clapped her hands and was joyful again. "I shan't want you any more," said Pearl to Mrs Jeal; "the Master has given me the cup to look after, and you are too wicked to come near me." Mrs Jeal winced, and looked down. "Here's gratitude," she sighed. "I've loved but one thing in my life, and it turns against me. Well, Pearl, I hope you will be happy. Good-bye." She paused, and then went on. "And, my lady, I would like to tell you the reason I told that lie about Lord Morven having pawned the cup. It was Sir Frank Hale made me do it." "Sir Frank!" echoed Sybil in amazement. "Why should he?" "It was partly your fault, miss," said Mrs Jeal, coolly; "he loved you, and he loved his sister. If Lord Morven had married Miss Edith, and you had married Sir Frank, all would have been well. But on that night I brought back the cup he saw me, and got the truth out of me. There he used me for his own ends, so as to get the blame laid on Mr Haverleigh." "How wicked of him!" said Sybil, angrily. Mrs Jeal laughed. "It was his way, my lady. But he has gone away, and will not trouble you again. Neither shall I. Good-bye, my lady. Pearl?" But Pearl turned away like a cross child. Mrs Jeal had to go without a farewell kiss, and her wicked nature felt the slight. However, she controlled her emotion, and went off to Portfront with Mrs Gabriel. There the cheque was cashed, and Mrs Jeal became possessed of a thousand pounds in Bank of England notes--she would take no other. "And there's the certificate," she said to Mrs Gabriel. "Thank God!" cried that lady, seizing it, "now I'm free of that man. If he comes to Colester again I'll put him in gaol. And you, hussey, I'll have you ducked."