'Lydia,' he said, gravely, 'you shouldn't have allowed her to go out. She isn't in a fit state to leave the house.'
'It was wrong, I know,' she said, standing just inside the door of the parlour.
Gilbert mentioned that he had seen Egremont. Before she could check herself, Lydia exclaimed:
'Where?'
He looked at her in surprise. She turned very pale. Mrs. Grail was also gazing at her.
'It was at the end of Newport Street,' Gilbert replied. 'Why are you so anxious to know where?'
'I'm sure I don't know. I'm worrying so about that child. I spoke without thinking at all.'
Half an hour more passed, then, as all sat silently together, they heard the front door opening. Lydia started up.
'Don't move, Gilbert! Let me go up with her. She'll be afraid of being scolded.'
She went out into the passage. The little lamp hung against the wall as usual, and when by its light she saw Thyrza, she was made motionless by alarm. Not only was the girl's face scarcely recognisable; her clothing was stained and in disorder.