I will try and arrange about the mortgage, and I will come over again as soon as possible and try and persuade your father to confide in me as he used to do.

Now, come, remember! You are not to worry yourself, my dear, but to leave it entirely to me.

Things are rarely as bad as they seem, and there is always a gleam of light in the darkest sky.

Perhaps, some day, we shall see Heron Hall and the good old family in all its old glory; and when that day comes, my little girl with the star eyes will queen it in the dale like one of the Heron ladies of the past." He patted her hand as he held it, patted and stroked it and looked at her with a tender and encouraging smile, which made Ida's eyes grow moist.
She rode down the dale gravely and sadly for some minutes: then the thought flashed through her mind, warming her heart, that she was not alone, but there was one who loved her and to whom she could by for consolation and encouragement.

Yes, it was only right that she should tell Stafford all; there should be no concealment from him.
She rode down the dale looking for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.
When she came to the opening by the lake she saw the large, white Villa gleaming in the sunlight; a launch was patting off from the landing-place with men and women on board, and the could almost fancy that she heard the sound of laughter.