, I think
you will admit that no harm has been done--you and I will only have a
new light on her character. It is very simple, provided that we two can
trust each other, and that Thyrza is what you think her. I need not
say, by-the-by, that she will not be living here; you can freely come
to me as often as you please.'

Would he never reply?

'For two years? That is a long time.'

'Not at all, the circumstances considered. Are you afraid of submitting
your love to the test?'

'You asked me to trust you implicitly. It is a great thing, you being
my enemy to begin with.'

'Your enemy? Well, then, your enemy; and still I ask you to trust me. I
have never yet betrayed man or woman, Walter.'

'Never; that I know well! Forgive me. On this day, this day of the
month, two years hence, I may go to her?'

'On this day of the month, two years hence. Is it a bargain?'

'I agree. Thyrza could not be in safer keeping.'

He went on:

'What a load you have lifted from me! If that suspense had continued
much longer, I don't know how I should have borne it. And you were with
her in her illness? Tell me about her. Was she gravely ill? Tell me
where you found her.'

'No; it is needless. I am a bad one to hear love confidences; I get
impatient, and am apt to be satirical. I shall never talk to you of
Thyrza.'

'But if she falls ill again, I must know.'

'I hope for better things. Tell me just one thing, before we change the
subject. What is your opinion of her sister? What do you really know of
her?'

'I know nothing save what I have gathered from Thyrza's talk, and from
Grail's. I never saw her. But there can be little doubt that she is of
sterling character.'

'Well, let it be. Now come in with me. I suppose you have had no
thought for such a foolish ceremony as dinner?'

Their voices passed into silence. By this time it was dark, and the
tall chestnuts beyond the house rustled in a cool breeze from the sea.
Thyrza did not move for several minutes; when at length she endeavoured
to rise, her numbed limbs would scarcely sustain her. She looked up and
saw the yellow crescent of a young moon sailing in a sky of delicate
pearl hue.

One glance at the upper windows of the house, and then, with strength
which seemed to pass into her limbs from the sharp air, she set out for
the cottage which was her present home.

CHAPTER XXIX

TOGETHER AGAIN

Lydia held desperately to hope through the days and the nights. F