at first,
but now I know I was wrong. You think so much of him; you know he
wouldn't be so cowardly and wicked. Thyrza told me the solemn truth; I
would die rather than doubt her word. You must believe her, Gilbert.
It's all so hard! She couldn't help it. And you mustn't think harm of
him!'

He said under his breath:

'I must try not to.'

She sat down, overcome, yielding herself to voiceless misery. It was a
long time before Gilbert spoke.

'Do you know where he is gone to, Lyddy?'

'No, I don't.'

Again silence. Then he moved, and looked at the clock.

'Will you sit with my mother? This is a great blow to her as well, and
it is hard to bear at her age. I will go out and see what I can do.
Don't fear, we'll find her. You shall soon have her back. Do you feel
able to sit with mother?

'Yes, I will, Gilbert.'

'Thank you. It will be kindness. I don't think I shall be very late.'

In passing her, he just touched her hand.

In the meanwhile, Ackroyd had returned to Newport Street. He sent up
word by the landlady that he wished to see Totty. The latter sent a
reply to him that perhaps she would be coming out in about an hour, but
could not be certain.

He waited, standing in the rain, over against the house. Perhaps twenty
minutes passed; then he saw the girl come forth.

'We can't talk here,' Luke said, joining her. 'Will you come under the
archway yonder?'

'I don't see that we've got so much to talk about,' Totty answered,
indifferently.

'Yes, I've several things to ask you.'

'All right. But I can't wait out in the cold for long.'

They went in the direction away from Paradise Street, and found shelter
under a black vault of the railway. A train roared above their heads as
they entered.

'I've just seen Lydia Trent,' he began. 'Did you expect that anything
of this kind would happen?'

'I've told you already that I have nothing to do with Thyrza and her
goings on. I told Lydia she'd better go to you if she wanted to find
her sister. I hope you told her all you know.'

'What do you mean by that? How should I be able to help her to find
Thyrza?'

'Oh, don't bother me!' Totty exclaimed, with impatience. 'I'm sick of
it. If you've brought me out to talk in this way, you might as well
have let it alone.'

'What are you driving at, Totty? I tell you I don't understand you.
Speak plainly, if you please. You think that I know where Thyrza is?'

'I suppose you're as likely to as anybody.'

'Why