Totty had been told, either by Thyrza herself or by someone already spreading the story.

The story was true.
He was struck with weakness.

Sweat broke out from all his body.

Nothing he had ever heard had seemed to him so terrible.

A girl like Thyrza! He had held her honesty as sure as the rising of day out of night.
Half an hour later he sat in his bedroom writing: 'Dear Miss Trent,--I want very much to see you.