ghed in favour of rascality on the young man's part, and Lydia's
education did not suffice to raise her above the common point of view
in such a matter. A gentleman did not fall in love with a work-girl,
not in the honest sense. Lydia had the prejudices of her class, and her
judgment went full against Egremont from the outset. He had encouraged
secret meetings, the kind of thing to be expected. He must have known
perfectly what a blow he was preparing for Gilbert, if the fact of
these meetings should be discovered. What did he care for that? His
selfishness was proof against every scruple, no doubt.

She could not argue as an educated person might have done. Egremont's
zeal in his various undertakings made no plea for his character, in her
mind. To be sure, a more subtle reasoner might have given it as little
weight, but that would have been the result of conscious wisdom. Lydia
could only argue from her predisposition regarding the class of
'gentlemen.' We know how she had shrunk from meeting Egremont. Guided
by Gilbert and Thyrza, she had taught herself to think well of him,
but, given the least grounds of suspicion, class-instinct was urgent to
condemn.

Only one way recommended itself to her, and that the way of love. She
must lead Thyrza to confide in her, must get at the secret by
constraint of tenderness. She might seem to suspect, but the grounds of
her suspicion must be hidden.

Having resolved this, she leaned nearer and spoke gentle words such as
might soothe. Thyrza made no response, save that she raised her lids
and looked wofully.

'Dear one, what is it you're keeping from me?' Lydia pleaded. 'Is it
kind, Thyrza, is it kind to me? It isn't enough to tell me you're
poorly; there's more than that. Do you think I can look at you and not
see that you have a secret from me?'

Thyrza had closed her eyes again, and was mute.

'Dear, how can you be afraid of _me_, your old Lyddy? When there's
anything you're glad of, you tell me; oughtn't I to know far more when
you're in trouble? Speak to me, dear sister! I'll put my head near
yours; whisper it to me! How _can_ I go on in this way? Every day I see
you getting worse. I'm miserable when I'm away at work; I haven't a
minute's peace. Be kind to me, and say what has happened.'

There was silence.

'Do you think there's anything in me but love for you, my dearest, my
Thyrza? Do you think I could say a cruel word, tell me whatever you
might? Do you think I sha