'Don't come any farther,' Lydia said. 'Thank you for being so kind to me. Here, take these things of your sister's; you can just carry them back—or I'll leave them, if you like.'
'No, you shan't have that trouble. If Gilbert's home you ought to tell him now. He'll go to the police station, and ask them to help to find her. Let me know at once If you hear anything. She may come back.'
'No, she won't.'
'Run into the house at once.'
The parlour door opened as she entered the passage. Gilbert came out.
'Where has Thyrza gone to?' he asked, after examining her for an instant.
She could not speak, and could not stir from the place. Her hope had been to have time before she saw him.
'Lydia, where has Thyrza gone?'
She stepped into the room. The piece of paper was still crushed within her hand; she held it closer still.
'She's gone away, Gilbert. I don't know where. I had to go out, and when I came back she was gone. Perhaps she'll come back.'