Luke stopped her.  He looked closely at her through the dusk, and said in a low voice: 

‘He’s gone away?  Did she tell you he was going away?’

‘Yes.  He said good-bye to her, and hoped she would be happy.’

‘But, Lydia—­if he’s gone away—­and now she’s gone—­’

Lydia understood him.

‘Oh!  Don’t think that!’ she said, her eyes full of fear.  ’No, no!  I’m sure that isn’t true!  He’d never said a word to her.  He hadn’t given her to think he cared for her.  She cried because he didn’t.’

‘But if she’s so mad with love of him,’ Luke said, dropping his eyes, ’who knows what she might do?  You’d never have thought she could leave you like this.’

The rain was falling more heavily.  As Lydia stood, unable to utter any argument against him, Ackroyd saw that her hair was quite wet.

‘You mustn’t stand out here,’ he said.  ’Come round into Paradise Street with me, and I’ll get you something of my sister’s to go home in.  Poor girl!  You came out like this as soon as you’d found she was gone?  Come quick, or you’ll get your death.’

She accompanied him without speaking.  Her mind was working on the suggestion he had uttered.  Against her will he compelled her to step into the house whilst he procured a hat and a garment for her.  He took care that no one saw her, and when she was clad, he went out with her, carrying an umbrella for her protection.

‘Don’t come with me,’ she said.

’Yes, you must let me.  I was going to try and see you tonight, Lydia, to ask what—­’

’And I wanted to see you.  I felt I must tell you how well everything seemed to be going.  Oh, and now—­How shall I tell Gilbert?  How shall I tell him?  What ought I to do, Mr. Ackroyd?  Thyrza made me promise faithful I wouldn’t tell her secret.  She says that, in the note.  I’m sure she hasn’t gone—­gone to him.  She couldn’t marry Gilbert, and yet she doesn’t want him to lose the library.  That’s why she’s gone; I know it is.  She believes I shall keep my promise.  But what must I do?  How can I pretend I don’t know anything?’

‘I don’t think you can.’

’I didn’t care for anything as long as it helped her.  Mr. Boddy sent for me just now—­that was why I had to go out.  Mrs. Bower had been telling him.  I said it was all a lie from beginning to end.  Didn’t I do right, Mr. Ackroyd?  I’d say and do anything for Thyrza.  But how can I keep it from Gilbert flow?’

’You can’t, Lydia.  He’s bound to hear from somebody.  And if you feel so sure that she hasn’t gone—­’

’She hasn’t She hasn’t!  You promised me you wouldn’t think harm of her.’

’Indeed I won’t.  But Grail’s bound to know.  I can’t see that you’ll make it a bit better by denying.’

’But my promise to Thyrza!  The last thing she ever asked of me.  And Gilbert ‘ll refuse the place; I know he will!’

’Yes, he will.  There’s no man could take it after this.  I m right down sorry for poor Grail.’