’I am so sorry I haven’t a chair to offer you.  If I put the top on this box?  That is a very rude sort of seat, but—­’

Then he wished her to remain a little?  Or was it mere politeness, which modesty should direct her to meet with similar refusal?  It was so hard that she did not know what was proper, how she was expected to behave.

In the meantime, the seat was improvised.  He asked her with a smile if she would take it.

’Thank you, Mr. Egremont.  I’m afraid I mustn’t stay.  Or only a minute.’

He glanced at the inner door, leading to the house.  Had some sound come thence?

Thyrza seated herself.  With one hand she held the edge of the box nervously.  Her eyes were bent downwards.  Egremont again walked away from her.  On returning, he said, in the same almost expressionless tone: 

‘I hope you enjoyed the concert last night?’

This was what she had wished, that he would speak of the concert.

‘I did, so very much,’ she replied.

And, as she spoke, her face was lifted.  He was regarding her, and did not at once avert his eyes.  For an appreciable space of time they looked at each other.

Was she then satisfied?  Could she leave him now and draw a hard line between this hour and the future?  Less satisfied than ever.  His gaze was a mystery; it seemed so cold, and yet, and yet—­what did it suggest to her?  That just observable tremor on his lip; that slight motion of the forehead, those things spoke to her miraculously sharpened sense, and yet she could not interpret their language.  It was very far from the look she had yearned for, yet perhaps it affected her more profoundly than a frank gaze of kindness would have done.

He moved a little, again glancing at the inner door.

‘I was there myself,’ were his next words.

‘Yes, I saw you.  In the Hall, I mean; not only afterwards.’

Uttered without forethought—­she desired to say that and had said it.

‘Did you?’ he said, more coldly still.

‘Gilbert pointed you out to us.’

It was true, and it involved a falsehood.  Egremont happened to regard her as she spoke, and at once a blush came to her cheeks.  To what was she falling?  Why did she tell untruths without the least need?  She could not understand the motive which had impelled her to that.

Egremont had a distinct frown on his face.  It was as though he read her deceit and despised her for it.  Thyrza added, confusedly: 

’My sister went with us.  She hadn’t meant to, but Gilbert persuaded her at last.’

‘Do you remember which piece you liked best?’

’No, I couldn’t say.  It was all so beautiful.  I liked the songs so much.’

‘But Mr. Grail must take you to hear better singers than those.’

‘Weren’t they good?’ she asked in astonishment.

‘Certainly not bad, but not really excellent.’