‘Who brought the message?’ Lydia asked, going outside the door to speak with the landlady.

‘A little boy,’ was the answer.  ‘I never see him before, as I know.’

Lydia was disturbed.  It might only mean that the old man was anxious at not having seen her for five or six days, or that he was ill; but the fact of his living in the Bowers’ house suggested another explanation.  An answer was required; she sent back word that she would come.

‘I shan’t be more than half an hour away at the very longest,’ she said, when she reluctantly prepared to go out after tea.  ’Wouldn’t you like to go downstairs just for that time, dear?’

‘No, Lyddy, I’ll stay.’

Thyrza had left her chair, and stood with her hand resting on the mantel-piece.  She did not turn her head.

‘How funny you look with your hair like that!’

Thyrza had declined to have her hair braided, and had coiled it herself in a new way.  She made no reply.

‘Good-bye, pet!’ Lydia said, coming near.

Thyrza did not move.  She was looking downwards at the fire.  Lydia touched her; she started, and, with a steady gaze, said, ’Good-bye, Lyddy!’

‘I do wish I hadn’t to go.  But I shall be very quick.’

‘Yes.  Good-bye!’

They kissed each other, and Lydia hastened on her errand.

Her absence did not last much longer than the time she had set.  Mr. Boddy had heard from Mrs. Bower all the story about Egremont.  He gave no faith to it, but wished to warn Lydia that such gossip was afloat, and to receive from her an authoritative denial.  She declared it to be false from beginning to end.  Without a moment’s hesitation she did this, having determined that there was no middle course.  She denied that Thyrza had been to the library.  Whoever originated the story had done so in malice.  She enjoined upon him to contradict it without reserve.

She felt as if she were being hunted by merciless beasts.  To escape them, any means were justifiable.  Of the Bowers she thought with bitter hatred.  No wrong to herself could have excited all her fiercest emotions as did this attack upon her sister.  Running homewards, she felt the will and the strength to take the life of her enemy.  She had entered the Bowers’ house, and left it, by the private door; it was well that she had met no one.

She remembered that Thyrza must not discover her excitement, and went up the stairs slowly, regaining breath, trying to smooth her face.  A fable to account for Mr. Boddy’s summons was ready on her tongue.  She entered, and found an empty room.

So Thyrza had gone down to Mrs. Grail after all.  That was good.  The poor girl was making a brave struggle, and would conquer herself yet.  If only Bower’s gossip could be kept from Gilbert, But there was still a long time till Monday, still two whole days, and Bower, determined as he evidently was to work mischief, would not neglect the supreme opportunity.  It would have been better if Gilbert had not returned to work.