"What has changed you so since last June?"
"I didn't know that I was changed," Matilda said, wondering again.
"Are you happy, my love?"
The question was put very softly, and yet Matilda started and looked into Mrs. Laval's eyes to see what her thought was.
"Yes," said the lady, smiling; "I asked you if you were quite happy. How is it?"
Matilda's eyes went back to the blue mountains. How much ought she to tell?
"I think—I suppose—I ought to be happy," she said at last.
"I think you always try to do what you think you ought to do; isn't that so?"
"I try," said Matilda in a low voice.
"How happens it, then, dear, that you do not succeed in being happy?"