well. The gratitude he
expressed--simply, powerfully--moved Thyrza; not as the words of one
she loved would have moved her, but to a feeling of calm thankfulness
that she had it in her power to give so much joy. And perhaps some day
she could give him affection. She had, in her belief, spoken truly when
she said that he was above her. He was no ignorant man, without a
thought save of his day's earnings. She could respect his mind, as she
had always done, and his character she could reverence. It was well.

She told Mrs. Emerson that she was going to see her sister again, and
that probably she would not return till Sunday night.

On setting forth, she had a letter to post. It was to Mrs. Ormonde.
Purposely she had delayed writing this till Saturday afternoon; she
wished to show that there had been a couple of days for thought since
the step was taken, and that she could speak with calm consciousness of
what she had done. The posting of this letter was like saying a last
good-bye.

Lydia was again waiting just at the door, and again they reached the
room without having been observed.

'I shall go down at once,' Thyrza said. 'Gilbert expects me. I am going
to speak to Mrs. Grail.'

Lydia was pleased to see that the pale face had not that terrible look
to-night. To-night there were smiles for her, and many affectionate
words. During Thyrza's absence of half an hour, she sat puzzling over
the mystery, as she had puzzled since Thursday night. Would all indeed
be well? It was so sudden, so unthought of, so hard to believe. For
Lydia had by degrees come to think of her sister as raised quite above
this humble station. Though she could not reconcile herself to it;
though she would above all things have chosen that Thyrza should still
marry Gilbert, yet there was a contradictory sort of pride in knowing
that her sister was a lady. Lyddy, we are aware, was little given to
logical processes of thought; her feelings often got her into
troublesome perplexities.

Thyrza came up again. Mrs. Grail had received her with tears and
silence at first, but soon with something of the gratitude which
Gilbert felt.

'I told them I was going to stay till to-morrow. I shall have tea with
them then. You'll spare me for an hour, Lyddy?'

There was no talk between them as yet on the main subject of their
thoughts. Something that was said caused Lydia to go to her cupboard
and bring forth an object which Thyrza at once recognised. It was Mr