A change was coming about in the sufferer. What had at the first suggestion been a terror now grew upon her as an assuagement of pain. She clung to her sister's hand. 'I don't know how it began,' she whispered. 'It seems so sudden; but I think it's been coming for a long time. Ever since I saw him that day at the library--the first time I ever saw him. Ever since, there hasn't been a day I haven't thought of him. I never saw any one else that made me think like that. Day and night, Lyddy! But it didn't trouble me at first. It was only after I came back from Eastbourne. I seemed to think of everything in a different way after that. I dreamt of him every night, and I did so want to see him. I don't know why. Then I saw him at last--on Monday--at the library.' 'You hadn't met him--alone--before then?' 'No, never since that first time.' 'But why did you go there on Monday?' 'Oh, I can't--can't think! Something seemed to tell me to go there. I found there was some books come, and he was putting them on the shelves. He said he didn't want Gilbert to know--just for fun--and I promised not to say anything.' 'You mean last Monday? This week?' 'Yes. Not before then. And it seems--oh, it seems a month ago, Lyddy!' She lay back, pressing Lydia's hand against her heart. 'But did he ask you to go again, dear?' 'No, he didn't. It was all myself. Lyddy, I couldn't keep away. I couldn't. Will you believe I'm telling the truth? I tried--I did try so hard! I knew I oughtn't to go, because I wanted to so much. I knew it was wrong. I don't think I should have gone if Mrs. Grail hadn't forced me to go out for a walk, because she said it would take my headache away. I was holding myself back all the morning. And when I got out--I couldn't help it--I was drawn there! And then I asked him if I might come again to-day. He said I might, but I could see he thought it was wrong of me. And, Lyddy, he never came. I stayed there waiting. Oh, do you know what I suffered? I can't tell you!' 'My dearest, I know, I feel with you! But it will be better now you've told me. And to-night? Didn't you see him to-night?' 'How do you know? Who told you?' she asked, nervously. 'No one, dear. I only think it. The way you came in--' Thyrza suddenly bent forward, listening. 'Can any one hear us?' she whispered. 'Go and see any one's outside.' 'There's no one, dear.' 'Go and look. I'm afraid.' Lydia went and opened the door. She closed it again, and came back shaking her head. 'I didn't think I should see him,' Thyrza continued. 'I was waiting in Totty's room, and he came to see Mr. Bunce. I heard his voice. When he went away, I followed him. I couldn't help myself. I would have given my life for a word from him. I wanted to know why he hadn't come this morning. I followed him, and walked with him over the bridge. Then he told me he was going away, somewhere out of England, and I shouldn't see him again till after--after I was married.'