midnight
The absorption of the lovers in each other 's society naturally left Miss Ludington more often alone than before ; but Ida was very far from neglecting her for her lover . Her care for her since her sickness was such as a daughter might give to a beloved and invalid mother . It was an attention such as the lonely old lady had never enjoyed in her life , or looked for , and would have been most grateful to have had from any one , but how much more from Ida ! The village street was a rarely romantic promenade on moonlight evenings , and the twanging of Paul 's guitar was often heard till after midnight from the meeting-house steps , which were a favourite resort with the lovers . Those steps , in the Hilton of Miss Ludington 's girlhood , had been a very popular locality with sentimental couples , and she well remembered certain short-lived romances of Ida 's first life on earth with which they had been associated . One night , when the young people had lingered there later than usual , Miss Ludington put on her shawl and stepped across the green to warn them that it was time for even lovers to be abed . As she approached , Paul was seated on the lower step , touching his guitar , and facing Ida , who sat on the step above leaning back against a pillar .