‘You thought he loved me?’ was whispered.  ’Oh, if he did!  If he did!’

Lydia was still kneeling.  New fears were making themselves heard.  Was it possible for Thyrza to marry Gilbert under such circumstances, and within five days?  What if Gilbert heard Bower’s story?  Nay, in any case, what of the future?  Egremont would be constantly at the library.

‘Thyrza, do you never think of Gilbert?’

Thyrza raised herself, again the look of wild dread in her eyes.

’Lyddy, I can’t marry him!  You know now that I can’t, don’t you?  It would be wrong.  I shall love him as long as ever I live—­love him and think of him every minute.  I can’t marry Gilbert.’

There was silence.  Lydia looked up with tearful, appealing eyes.

My dearest, think—­think what that means?  How can you break your word to him—­now, when the day’s almost here?  Think what it’ll mean to him.  You’ll have to tell him the reason, and then—­’

’I’ll tell him everything.  I’ll bear it.  Can I help it, Lyddy?  Am I happy?’

’But you haven’t thought, Thyrza.  It means that Gilbert will have to go on with his work at the factory.’

‘Why?  His mother will go and live with him at the library.’

Her voice sank.  She began to understand.

’Do you suppose he can take that place from Mr. Egremont after he knows this, Thyrza?’

Thyrza was mute for a little.  Then she said, under her breath: 

‘He needn’t know the reason.  He must think it’s something else.’

’That’s impossible.  What a cruel thing it’ll be to him!  You know how he’s looked forward.  And then he loves you; he loves you more than you think.  It will be dreadful!  Thyrza, I don’t think you’ll make poor Gilbert suffer in that way.  You couldn’t do that, dear!  You know what love means; have some pity for him!’

’I cant!  He shan’t know the reason; he shall go to the library just the same.  We’ll say it’s only put off.  I can’t marry him on Monday!  I’d sooner kill myself!’

There was a ring of terrible earnestness in the words.  Lydia was afraid to plead any more at present.  She affected to admit that there was no help.  Yes, the marriage should be postponed; perhaps that would be a way.

The hour was late.  After her sister’s acquiescence Thyrza had fallen into brooding.  She moved constantly.  There was fire in her cheeks.

Only a few words were exchanged whilst Lydia undressed and lay down by her sister.  Sleep was impossible to either of them.  Yet Thyrza had not closed her eyes the night before.  She was very feverish, could not lie in one position for more than a few minutes.  When neither had spoken for nearly an hour, she said of a sudden: 

’Lyddy, I want you to promise me that you’ll never tell Gilbert nor Mrs. Grail one word of this.  I want you to promise.’

’I promise you, dear.  How could I think of doing so without your leave?’