and then to one or the other, but Thyrza kept
silence; her cheeks were flushed; she inspected all the faces about
her. At length, admission was gained and seats secured.

Thyrza sat between the other two, but she still kept her hold on
Lydia's arm, until the latter said laughingly:

'You're not afraid of losing me now. I expect we shall be dreadfully
hot here soon.'

She withdrew her hand. Gilbert began to talk to her. Had it not been
for the circumstances, he must have observed a difference in Thyrza's
manner to him. She scarcely ever met his look, and when she spoke it
was with none of the usual spontaneity. But she seemed to be absorbed
in observation of the people who had begun to seat themselves in other
parts of the hall. The toilettes were a wonder to her. Lydia, too, they
interested very much; she frequently whispered a comment on such as
seemed to her 'nice' or the contrary. She could not help trying to
think how Thyrza would look if 'dressed like a lady.'

Thyrza started, so perceptibly that Lydia asked her what was the matter.

'Nothing,' she answered, moving as if to seat herself more comfortably.
But henceforth her eyes were fixed in one direction, on a point down in
the body of the hall. She no longer replied to the remarks of either of
her companions. The flush remained warm upon her cheeks.

'Thyrza!' whispered Gilbert, when the musicians were in their places,
and the preliminary twanging and screeching of instruments under
correction had begun. 'There's Mr. Egremont!'

'Is he? Where?'

'Do you see that tall lady in the red cloak? No, more to the left;
there's a bald man on the other side of him.'

'Yes, I see him.'

She waited a moment, then repeated the news to Lydia, with singular
indifference. Then she began to gaze in quite other directions. The
instrumental uproar continued.

'Oh dear!' said Lydia, with a wry face. I'm sure that kind of music
won't do your head any good. Is it still better?'

'I think so--yes, yes.'

'Grandad doesn't take anything like that time to tune his fiddle,' the
other whispered, conscious that she was daring in her criticism.

Thyrza, on an impulse, conveyed the remark to Gilbert, who laughed
silently.

The concert began. Thyrza's eyes had again fixed themselves on that
point down below, and during the first piece they did not once move.
Her breathing was quick. The heart in her bosom seemed to swell, as
always when some great emotion possessed her, and