this without having recourse to her sympathy,
which had so long been to him as that of a mother. Perhaps he could not
speak to her.

In any case, the immediate future was full of difficulties. It was a
simple matter to take Thyrza to the Emersons' lodgings and get her
restored to health, but what must then become of her? The best hope was
that even yet she might marry Grail. Between the latter and Egremont
doubtless everything was at an end; all the better, if there remained a
possibility of Thyrza's forgetting this trial and some day fulfilling
her promise. But in the meantime--a period, perhaps, of years--what
must be done? The sisters might of course live together as hitherto and
earn their living in the accustomed way, but Mrs. Ormonde understood
too well the dangers of an attempt to patch together old and new. There
was no foreseeing the effect of her sufferings on Thyrza's character;
in spite of idealisms, suffering more often does harm than good.

In fact, she must become acquainted with the truth of the case before
she could reasonably advise or help. It had seemed wise as yet to keep
the discovery of Thyrza a secret, even though by disclosing it she
might have alleviated others' pain. When Lydia should at length be
told, perhaps difficulties would in one way or another be lessened.

Mrs. Ormonde at length spoke to the invalid of the plan for removing
her. Thyrza made no reply, but, when her friend went on to speak of the
people in whose care she would be, averted her eyes as if in trouble.
Mrs. Ormonde was silent for a while, then asked:

'Would you like your sister to come, when you are in the other house?'

Thyrza shook her head. She would have spoken, but instead sobbed.

'But she must be in dreadful trouble, Thyrza.'

'Will you write to her, please, Mrs. Ormonde? Don't tell her where I
am, but say that I am well again. I can't see her yet--not till I have
begun to work again. Do you think I can soon go and find work?'

'Do you wish, then, to live by yourself?' Mrs. Ormonde asked, hoping
that the conversation might lead Thyrza to reveal her story.

'Yes, I must live by myself. I mustn't see any one for a long time. I
can earn as much as I need. If I can't find anything else, Mrs. Gandle
will let me stay with her.'

There was silence. Then she turned her face to Mrs. Ormonde, and, with
drooping eyelids, asked in a low voice:

'Do you know why I left home, Mrs. Ormonde?'

'No, I don't, Thyrza,' t