"
Already a great longing for travel had entered into her mind. She longed
to see new scenes, new peoples, new manners and customs. She read
eagerly every book of travel that fell into her hands; followed with
profound interest the career of every adventurous explorer, and blamed
her sex that prevented her from following their heroic examples. For a
while a change was effected in the current of her thoughts by a strong
attachment which sprung up between her and her teacher, who by this time
had given up his former profession, and had obtained an honourable
position in the civil service. It was natural enough that in the close
intimacy which existed between them such an affection should be
developed. Ida's mother, however, regarded it with grave disapproval,
and exacted from the unfortunate girl a promise that she would neither
see nor write to her humble suitor again. The result was a dangerous
illness: on her recovery from which her mother insisted on her accepting
for a husband Dr. Pfeiffer, a widower, with a grown-up son, but an
opulent and distinguished advocate in Lemberg, who was then on a visit to
Vienna. Though twenty-four years older than Ida, he was attracted by her
grace and simplicity, and offered his hand. Weary of home persecutions,
Ida accepted it, and the marriage took place on May 1st, 1820.
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