In any case, the immediate future was full of difficulties.  It was a simple matter to take Thyrza to the Emersons’ lodgings and get her restored to health, but what must then become of her?  The best hope was that even yet she might marry Grail.  Between the latter and Egremont doubtless everything was at an end; all the better, if there remained a possibility of Thyrza’s forgetting this trial and some day fulfilling her promise.  But in the meantime—­a period, perhaps, of years—­what must be done?  The sisters might of course live together as hitherto and earn their living in the accustomed way, but Mrs. Ormonde understood too well the dangers of an attempt to patch together old and new.  There was no foreseeing the effect of her sufferings on Thyrza’s character; in spite of idealisms, suffering more often does harm than good.

In fact, she must become acquainted with the truth of the case before she could reasonably advise or help.  It had seemed wise as yet to keep the discovery of Thyrza a secret, even though by disclosing it she might have alleviated others’ pain.  When Lydia should at length be told, perhaps difficulties would in one way or another be lessened.

Mrs. Ormonde at length spoke to the invalid of the plan for removing her.  Thyrza made no reply, but, when her friend went on to speak of the people in whose care she would be, averted her eyes as if in trouble.  Mrs. Ormonde was silent for a while, then asked: 

’Would you like your sister to come, when you are in the other house?’

Thyrza shook her head.  She would have spoken, but instead sobbed.

‘But she must be in dreadful trouble, Thyrza.’

’Will you write to her, please, Mrs. Ormonde?  Don’t tell her where I am, but say that I am well again.  I can’t see her yet—­not till I have begun to work again.  Do you think I can soon go and find work?’

‘Do you wish, then, to live by yourself?’ Mrs. Ormonde asked, hoping that the conversation might lead Thyrza to reveal her story.

’Yes, I must live by myself.  I mustn’t see any one for a long time.  I can earn as much as I need.  If I can’t find anything else, Mrs. Gandle will let me stay with her.’

There was silence.  Then she turned her face to Mrs. Ormonde, and, with drooping eyelids, asked in a low voice: 

‘Do you know why I left home, Mrs. Ormonde?’

‘No, I don’t, Thyrza,’ the other replied gently.  ’I have not seen any of your friends.  I think very likely you are the only one that could tell me the truth.’

‘Lyddy knows,’ was spoken presently, after the shedding of a few quiet tears.  ’I left a letter for her.  Besides, she knew before—­ knew that—­’

The voice faltered and ceased.

‘Can you tell me what it was, Thyrza?’

’I didn’t do anything wrong, Mrs. Ormonde.  But I was going to be married—­do you remember about Mr. Grail?’

‘Yes, dear.’