heyday of youth

The thing can be done just by the very road that you have pronounced impossible,—that is, by the romantic side of it,—making it a case of violent love at first sight, the passion of a man past the heyday of youth, but yet young enough to feel a most ardent affection.

The contrast between herself and the girl in all the bloom and heyday of youth was striking.

They p. 201had long outlived the heyday of youth. 

The cheek may have been a shade thinner than a month before; and there may have been a shadow under the eyes, too marked for her heyday of youth and health; but if so the moonlight was not enough of a tell-tale to make the revelation.

I may say that my wife and I tasted the real bliss of married life when we renounced sexual contact and that in the heyday of youth.