This change was a natural enough consequence of Lydia's character, just as it had been perfectly natural for her to think and speak as she had done under the first shock of her sister's flight.
Since then she had suffered terribly, and the suffering turned her against him who was the plain cause of it.
'What is the post-mark on the envelope ?' Gilbert asked, Lydia continuing to brood over her jealousies and dreads.
The stamp was 'Charing Cross.' Small help derivable from that.
'She doesn't even say whether she'll write again,' Lydia murmured.
Gilbert said presently: 'I shall write to Mr.Egremont, and tell him that we have heard.' 'Oh no!' Lydia protested, indignantly.

'Why should you tell him?
You mustn't do that, Gilbert; I don't want him to know.' 'I promised him, Lyddy.

Of course I shouldn't tell him where she was, if we knew, but I promised to let him hear if we had any news.' 'Then I don't see why you promised such a thing.

It doesn't concern him.' Gilbert was troubled by this persistence.

Lydia spoke with earnest disapproval.