Gilbert understood the good sense of this disposition.
The weather continued doleful, until at length, in the last week of February, there came a sudden change.

A rioting east wind fell upon the murky vapours of the lower sky, broke up the league of rain and darkness, and through one spring-heralding day drove silver fleece over deeps of clear, cold blue.

The streets were swept of mire; eaves ceased to distil their sooty rheum; even in the back-ways of Lambeth there was a sunny gleam on windows and a clear ring in all the sounds of life.
It was Saturday.

Between Egremont and Grail it had been decided that the latter should to-day take Thyrza to inspect the house.

Egremont had gained the surly compliance of the caretaker--the most liberal treatment made no difference in the strange old woman's moroseness--and Grail, promising himself pleasure from Thyrza's surprise, said nothing more than that he wished to see her at three in the afternoon.
The sisters did not come home together from their work, Lydia had an engagement with Mrs.Isaacs, of whom we have heard, and went to snatch a pretence of a dinner in a little shop to which she resorted when there was need.