Perhaps some, of the sweethearts of that far away time had been a little nearer, a little dearer, to Ida than to her own fading memory they seemed to have been.

Perhaps she had done a stupid thing in referring to those days.
Meanwhile, despite of circumstances that would seem peculiarly favourable to a young girl's happiness, Ida's tendency to melancholy was increasing upon her at a rate which began to cause Miss Ludington as well as Paul serious anxiety.

She had indeed been pensive from the first, but the expression of her face, when in repose, had of late become one of profound dejection.

The shadow which they had never been able to banish from her eyes had deepened into a look of habitual sadness.

Coming upon her unexpectedly, both Miss Ludington and Paul had several times found her in tears, which she would not or could not explain.