’I’m afraid so.  When he’d done his tale to me last night, I told him that if he hadn’t been a man so much older than myself I’d have struck him in face of all in the club.  I’d perhaps better not have angered him, but it wouldn’t make much difference.  He’s got ill feeling against Egremont, I believe.’

Lydia’s eyes flashed when she heard of that speech to Bower.

’And you think he’s doing this more to harm Mr. Egremont than Thyrza?’

’I do.  He’s a gossiping fool, but I don’t believe he’d plot to ruin a girl in this way.  Still, I’m quite sure the story ’ll have got about, and it comes to the same thing.’

Both stood in thought.  Lydia felt as if all the bright future were blasted before her eyes.  Thyrza loved Egremont.  Egremont was the falsest of friends to Gilbert, the most treacherous of men.  Her darling had been artfully drawn by him into this secret intercourse; and how was it all to end?

’I must go home to Thyrza, Mr. Ackroyd.  I don’t know what to do, but it will come to me when I see my sister.’

She reflected a moment, then added: 

’She went to see Totty Nancarrow, at the same time when I came out.  Perhaps she’ll be there still.  If I don’t find her at home, I must go to the other house.  Good-bye!’

‘I do wish I could be some help to you, Lydia!’ he said, holding her hand and looking very kindly at her.

’You can’t.  Nobody can help.  Whatever happens Thyrza and me will be together, and I shall keep her from harm.  But you’ve been a good friend to me to-night, Mr. Ackroyd.  I can’t do more than say I’m grateful to you.  I shall be that, as long as I live.’

’Lydia—­I don’t want to pry into anything between you and your sister, but if I can do anything to be of use to her—­or to you—­ you’ll tell me?  You could easily send a message to me.’

’Thank you.  I will ask you if there is anything.  Let me go home alone, Mr. Ackroyd.’

She came to the house, and saw that there was no light in the window of their room.  Still, Thyrza might be sitting there.  She ran upstairs.  The room was vacant.

Then she hurried to Newport Street.  Mrs. Ladds told her that Totty had not come in yet, and that Thyrza had been and was gone away again.  She turned on her steps slowly, and after a short uncertainty went home again, in the hope that Thyrza might have returned.  As she entered, Gilbert met her in the passage.

‘Is Thyrza come back?’ she asked.

‘No, she isn’t in the house.  Where did she go to?’

‘She went just to see Totty Nancarrow.’  Nothing was to be gained by concealing this now.  ’I’ve been there, but she’s gone away.  I dare say she’ll be back in a few minutes.’

Lydia went upstairs, not feeling able to talk.  Gilbert, who since Monday had fallen into ever deeper trouble, left the house and walked towards Newport Street, hoping to find Thyrza.  It was thus that he came to be met by Egremont.  He was back in half an hour.  Lydia came down when she heard him enter.