‘I have heard of one or two who tried to, but didn’t.’

’I do hope the poor girl will soon be well enough to come.  I’ll get the room thoroughly in order to-night.’

They left the house together.  Mrs. Emerson ran in the direction of the omnibus she wished to catch; the other shortly found a vehicle, and drove back again to Bank Street, Caledonian Road.

Thyrza still lay in the same condition.  In a little more than half an hour came the trained nurse of Dr. Lambe’s sending, and forthwith the sick-room was got into a more tolerable condition, Mrs. Ormonde procuring whatever the nurse desired.  Much private talk passed downstairs between Mrs. Gandle and ’Lizabeth, who were greatly astonished at the fuss made over the girl they had supposed friendless.

’Now let this be a lesson to you, ‘Lizabeth.’ said the good woman, several times.  ‘It ain’t often as you’ll lose by doin’ a bit o’ kindness, and the chance always is as it’ll be paid back to you more than you’d never think.  Any one can see as this Mrs. Ormonde’s a real lady, and when it comes to settlin’ up, you’ll see if she doesn’t know how to behave like a lady.’

Mrs. Ormonde took a room at a private hotel near King’s Cross, whither her travelling bag was brought from Victoria.  She avoided the part of the town in which acquaintances might hear of her, for her business had to be kept secret.  A necessary letter despatched to Mrs. Mapper at The Chestnuts, she went once more to Bank Street and met her friend Dr. Lambe.

She told him, in general terms, all she knew of the circumstances which might have led to Thyrza’s illness.  At first she had been in doubt whether or not to go to Lambeth and see Lydia Trent, but on the whole it seemed better to take no steps in that direction for the present.  Should the case be declared dangerous, Lydia of course must be sent for, but that was a dark possibility from which her thoughts willingly averted themselves.  The sister could doubtless throw some light on Thyrza’s strange calamity.  What did the child’s ‘You know you promised me’ mean?  But that would be no aid to the physician, upon whom for the present most depended.  Nor did Dr. Lambe exhibit much curiosity.  He seemed quickly to gather all it was really necessary for him to know, and, though he admitted that the disorder was likely to be troublesome, he gave an assurance that there was no occasion for alarm.

‘You are not associated in her mind with anything distressing?’ he asked of Mrs. Ormonde.

‘I believe, the opposite.’

’Good.  Then be by her side as often as you can, so that she may recognise you as soon as possible.’  He added with a smile:  ’I needn’t inform Mrs. Ormonde how to behave when she is recognised!’

They were at a little distance from the bed, and both looked at the unconscious face.

‘A very beautiful girl,’ the doctor murmured.

‘But you should see her in health.’