Maria was inclined to think that Ida would receive her with the same coldly radiant smile as usual, and she was right.

That night, when she entered the bright parlor, glowing with soft lights under art-shades, Ida, in her pretty house-gown--scarlet cashmere trimmed with medallions of cream lace--greeted her in the same fashion as she had always done.

Evelyn ran forward with those squeals of love which only a baby can accomplish.

Maria, hugging her little sister, saw that Ida's countenance was quite unchanged.
"So you have got home ?" said she.

"Is it very cold ?" "Not very," replied Maria.
"I have not been out, and I did not know," Ida said, in her usual fashion of making commonplaces appear like brilliances.
"There may be a frost, I don't know," Maria said.