She became silent. Thyrza had drawn a chair to the table. One saw that she had risen with difficulty--that she with difficulty sat upright. Gilbert, without speaking, went and sat by her. Lydia was dreading questions, but she did injustice to the delicacy of his mind. Mrs. Grail just said: 'You're very pale still, dear,' and nothing more. The meal was made as short as possible. Then Lydia helped Mrs. Grail to take the things to the kitchen. Thyrza, before coming down, had asked to be left alone with Gilbert for a few minutes. Grail was at the window, watching the rain. He heard Thyrza approaching him, and turned. 'Gilbert,' she said, without raising her eyes, 'I'm behaving very unkindly to you. Will you forgive me?' 'How are you behaving unkindly, Thyrza?' he asked, with gently expressed surprise. 'I've been keeping away from you. I couldn't help it. I don't feel myself.' 'You are ill, Thyrza. Am I to forgive you for that?' 'Yes, I am ill. Gilbert, is it too late to ask you? Will you put it off for a week, one week?' He let a minute pass before replying. Seeing that she trembled as she stood, he led her to a chair, the chair in which she always sat. 'Dear,' he said at length, 'I will do whatever you wish.' 'I shall be better by then, I think. But I'll go with you to buy the things just the same.' 'We can leave that for a few days,' he said absently. 'It wouldn't make any difference to you at the library?' 'None, I am sure, I will write and tell Mr. Egremont. He will be very sorry to hear of your illness.' She stood up, and looked at the clock. 'I've made you late for your work.' 'I shan't go to-day.' 'You won't go?' she asked. 'I can't, Thyrza. I'm too uneasy about you.' 'Don't be that, Gilbert, I promise you to try and get better.' Another silence, then he asked 'Will you stay here this morning?' She just raised her face; fear and entreaty were on the features. 'I only came down for breakfast, to ask you that, and--and to tell you I was so sorry.' 'To be sure,' he replied at once. 'You are not well enough to be up. Lyddy will stay with you?' 'Yes, she is going to stay. I'll come and see you again, if I feel able.' She offered her hand. He took it, held it a little, then said: 'Thyrza, is there anything on your mind, anything you don't wish to tell me just now, but in a day or two perhaps?' 'No, Gilbert, no! If you'll forgive me for behaving unkindly.' 'Dear, how can there be any forgiving, so long as I love you? There must be blame before there is need of forgiveness, and I love you too well to think a reproachful thought.' She bent her head and sobbed. 'Thyrza, is it any happiness to you to know that I love you?' 'Yes, it is. You are very good. I know I am making you suffer.' 'But I shall see the old face again, before long?' 'Soon. I shall be myself again soon.' She left him and went upstairs. A minute or two after. Lydia knocked at the door. 'Thyrza has gone up?' she asked. 'Yes. Come here, Lydia!'