It was said so gravely that Lydia, having finished her task, came round before the chair and looked in her sister's face. 'What?' 'I think I should die if I hadn't someone to love me.' 'I don't think you'll ever want that, Thyrza.' The other drew a profound sigh, so profound that it left her bosom trembling. And for a few moments she sat in a dream. Then she proceeded to change her dress and make ready for her formal appearance downstairs on the occasion of Egremont's visit. She had never been so anxious to look well. Lydia affected much impatience with her, but in truth was profoundly happy in her sister's happiness. She looked often at the beautiful face, and thought how proud Gilbert must be. 'Do you think I ought to shake hands with Mr. Egremont?' Thyrza asked. 'If he offers to, you must,' was Lydia's opinion. 'But not if he doesn't.' 'He did when he said good-bye at the school.' Before long they heard the expected double knock at the house-door. They had left their own door ajar that they might not miss this signal. Thyrza sprang to the head of the stairs and listened. She heard Gilbert admit his visitor, and she heard the latter's voice. It was now a month since the meeting at the school, but the voice sounded so exactly as she expected that it brought back every detail of that often-recalled interview, and made her heart throb with excitement. She was now to wait a whole quarter of an hour. 'Sit down and read,' said Lydia, who had herself begun to sew in the usual methodical way. Thyrza pretended to obey. For two minutes she sat still, then asked how they were to know when a quarter of an hour had passed. 'I'll tell you,' said the other. 'Sit quiet, there's a good baby, and I'll buy you a cake next time we go out.' Thyrza drew in her breath--and somehow the time was lived through. 'Now I think you may go,' Lydia said. Thyrza seemed to have become indifferent. She turned over a page of her book, and at length rose very slowly. Lydia watched her askance; she thought she saw signs of timidity. But Thyrza presently moved to the door and went downstairs with her lightest step. Gilbert had told her not to knock. Her hand was on the knob some moments before she ventured to turn it. She heard Egremont laughing--his natural laugh which was so attractive--and then there fell a silence. She entered. No, Gilbert had not seated his visitor in the easy chair; that must be reserved for someone of more importance. Egremont rose with a look of pleasure. 'You know Miss Trent already?' Gilbert said to him.