romised not to say anything.'

'You mean last Monday? This week?'

'Yes. Not before then. And it seems--oh, it seems a month ago, Lyddy!'

She lay back, pressing Lydia's hand against her heart.

'But did he ask you to go again, dear?'

'No, he didn't. It was all myself. Lyddy, I couldn't keep away. I
couldn't. Will you believe I'm telling the truth? I tried--I did try so
hard! I knew I oughtn't to go, because I wanted to so much. I knew it
was wrong. I don't think I should have gone if Mrs. Grail hadn't forced
me to go out for a walk, because she said it would take my headache
away. I was holding myself back all the morning. And when I got out--I
couldn't help it--I was drawn there! And then I asked him if I might
come again to-day. He said I might, but I could see he thought it was
wrong of me. And, Lyddy, he never came. I stayed there waiting. Oh, do
you know what I suffered? I can't tell you!'

'My dearest, I know, I feel with you! But it will be better now you've
told me. And to-night? Didn't you see him to-night?'

'How do you know? Who told you?' she asked, nervously.

'No one, dear. I only think it. The way you came in--'

Thyrza suddenly bent forward, listening.

'Can any one hear us?' she whispered. 'Go and see any one's outside.'

'There's no one, dear.'

'Go and look. I'm afraid.'

Lydia went and opened the door. She closed it again, and came back
shaking her head.

'I didn't think I should see him,' Thyrza continued. 'I was waiting in
Totty's room, and he came to see Mr. Bunce. I heard his voice. When he
went away, I followed him. I couldn't help myself. I would have given
my life for a word from him. I wanted to know why he hadn't come this
morning. I followed him, and walked with him over the bridge. Then he
told me he was going away, somewhere out of England, and I shouldn't
see him again till after--after I was married.'

She choked. Lydia soothed her again, and she continued, with growing
agitation:

'Then he said good-bye--he went away very quickly, after just saying he
hoped I should be happy. Happy! How can I be happy? And when he was
gone, I went somewhere and fell down and cried--somewhere where nobody
could see me. He's gone, Lyddy! How am I to live without him?'

They held each other. Thyrza sobbed out her anguish until strength
failed, then lay in her sister's arms, pale as a corpse.

When there had been utter silence for a while, Lydia asked:

'And he has never said anyth