'Hard? Not I! Why, whatever should I do with myself if I stayed at home? It's different with you; you must learn all you can, so as to be able to talk to Gilbert.' 'Come to dinner!' Lydia paused at the door. 'What has come to you, Thyrza?' she asked, looking in her sister's face. 'You're not the same, somehow. Oh, how _did_ you manage to do your own hair? But there's something different in you, Blue-eyes.' 'Is there? Yes, perhaps. Oh, we've a deal to talk about to-night, Lyddy!' 'But Gilbert 'll want you to-night.' 'No. That must be to-morrow.' And so it was. When all had sat together for an hour at Gilbert's late meal, the sisters went up to their room. Gilbert understood this perfectly well. The next evening would be his. When it came, Mrs. Grail made an excuse to go and sit with Lydia. Thyrza had her easy-chair; Gilbert was at a little distance. The privileges he asked were very few. Sometimes, when Thyrza and he were alone, he would bold her hand for a minute, and at parting he kissed her, but more of acted tenderness than that he did not allow himself. To-night, whilst she was speaking, he gazed at her continuously. He too observed the change of which Lydia had at once become aware. Thyrza seemed to have grown older in those two days. Her very way of sitting was marked by a maturer dignity, and in her speech it was impossible not to be struck with the self-restraint, the thoughtful choice of words, which had taken the place of her former impulsiveness. She dwelt much upon the delight she had received from Miss Newthorpe's playing. That had clearly made a great impression upon her. 'There was something she played, Gilbert, that told just what I felt when I first saw the sea. Do you know what I mean? Does music ever seem to speak to you in that way? It's really as if it spoke words.' 'I understand you very well, Thyrza,' he answered, in a subdued voice. And he added, his eyes brightening: 'Shall I take you some night to a concert, a really good concert, at one of the large halls?' 'Will you?' 'Yes, I will. I'll find out from the newspaper, and we'll go together.' She looked at him gratefully, but did not speak. As she remained silent, he drew his chair nearer and held his hand for hers. She gave it, without meeting his look. 'Thyrza, I heard from Mr. Egremont this morning. He wants to know if I can be ready to begin at the library on May 7, that's a Monday. It won't be opened then, but we shall be able to begin arranging the books. The house will be ready before the end of this month. Will you come and be married to me three weeks from to-day?' 'Yes, Gilbert, I will.' No flush, but an extreme pallor came upon her face. He felt a coldness in her hand. 'Then we shall go for a week to the seaside again,' he continued, his voice uncertain, 'and be back in time to get our house in order before the 7th of May.' 'Yes, Gilbert.' She still did not look at him. He released her hand, and went on in a more natural tone: