Thyrza stirred and muttered something, but gave no sign of consciousness.
The hour went by very slowly.

The traffic in the street was incessant and noisy; two men, who were selling coals from a cart, for a long time vied with each other in the utterance of roars drawn out in afflicting cadence.

Mrs.Ormonde now sat by the bed, regarding Thyrza, now went to the window and looked at the grimy houses opposite.

The prescribed interval had almost elapsed, when Thyrza suddenly raised herself and said with distinctness: 'You promised me, Lyddy; you know you promised!' Mrs.Ormonde was standing at the foot of the bed.

She drew nearer, and, as the sick girl regarded her, asked: 'Do you know me, Thyrza ?' Thyrza fell back, fear-stricken.