"WhatareyougoingtodowithRusty？"askedPhil，asthatprivilegedpussypaddedintotheroom。
　　"IamgoingtotakehimhomewithmeandJosephandtheSarah-cat，"
　　announcedAuntJamesina，followingRusty。"Itwouldbeashametoseparatethosecatsnowthattheyhavelearnedtolivetogether。
　　It’sahardlessonforcatsandhumanstolearn。"
　　"I’msorrytopartwithRusty，"saidAnneregretfully，"butitwouldbenousetotakehimtoGreenGables。Marilladetestscats，andDavywouldteasehislifeout。Besides，Idon’tsupposeI’llbehomeverylong。I’vebeenofferedtheprincipalshipoftheSummersideHighSchool。"
　　"Areyougoingtoacceptit？"askedPhil。
　　"I——Ihaven’tdecidedyet，"answeredAnne，withaconfusedflush。
　　Philnoddedunderstandingly。NaturallyAnne’splanscouldnotbesettleduntilRoyhadspoken。Hewouldsoon——therewasnodoubtofthat。AndtherewasnodoubtthatAnnewouldsay"yes"whenhesaid"Willyouplease？"Anneherselfregardedthestateofaffairswithaseldom-ruffledcomplacency。ShewasdeeplyinlovewithRoy。
　　True，itwasnotjustwhatshehadimaginedlovetobe。Butwasanythinginlife，Anneaskedherselfwearily，likeone’simaginationofit？Itwastheolddiamonddisillusionofchildhoodrepeated——
　　thesamedisappointmentshehadfeltwhenshehadfirstseenthechillsparkleinsteadofthepurplesplendorshehadanticipated。
　　"That’snotmyideaofadiamond，"shehadsaid。ButRoywasadearfellowandtheywouldbeveryhappytogether，evenifsomeindefinablezestwasmissingoutoflife。WhenRoycamedownthateveningandaskedAnnetowalkintheparkeveryoneatPatty’sPlaceknewwhathehadcometosay；andeveryoneknew，orthoughttheyknew，whatAnne’sanswerwouldbe。
　　"Anneisaveryfortunategirl，"saidAuntJamesina。
　　"Isupposeso，"saidStella，shrugginghershoulders。"Royisanicefellowandallthat。Butthere’sreallynothinginhim。"
　　"Thatsoundsverylikeajealousremark，StellaMaynard，"saidAuntJamesinarebukingly。
　　"Itdoes——butIamnotjealous，"saidStellacalmly。"IloveAnneandIlikeRoy。Everybodysayssheismakingabrilliantmatch，andevenMrs。Gardnerthinkshercharmingnow。Itallsoundsasifitweremadeinheaven，butIhavemydoubts。
　　Makethemostofthat，AuntJamesina。"
　　RoyaskedAnnetomarryhiminthelittlepavilionontheharborshorewheretheyhadtalkedontherainydayoftheirfirstmeeting。
　　Annethoughtitveryromanticthatheshouldhavechosenthatspot。
　　Andhisproposalwasasbeautifullywordedasifhehadcopiedit，asoneofRubyGillis’lovershaddone，outofaDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriage。Thewholeeffectwasquiteflawless。
　　Anditwasalsosincere。TherewasnodoubtthatRoymeantwhathesaid。Therewasnofalsenotetojarthesymphony。
　　Annefeltthatsheoughttobethrillingfromheadtofoot。
　　Butshewasn’t；shewashorriblycool。WhenRoypausedforhisanswersheopenedherlipstosayherfatefulyes。
　　Andthen——shefoundherselftremblingasifshewerereelingbackfromaprecipice。Tohercameoneofthosemomentswhenwerealize，asbyablindingflashofillumination，morethanallourpreviousyearshavetaughtus。ShepulledherhandfromRoy’s。
　　"Oh，Ican’tmarryyou——Ican’t——Ican’t，"shecried，wildly。
　　Royturnedpale——andalsolookedratherfoolish。Hehad——
　　smallblametohim——feltverysure。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"hestammered。
　　"ImeanthatIcan’tmarryyou，"repeatedAnnedesperately。
　　"IthoughtIcould——butIcan’t。"
　　"Whycan’tyou？"Royaskedmorecalmly。
　　"Because——Idon’tcareenoughforyou。"
　　AcrimsonstreakcameintoRoy’sface。
　　"Soyou’vejustbeenamusingyourselfthesetwoyears？"hesaidslowly。
　　"No，no，Ihaven’t，"gaspedpoorAnne。Oh，howcouldsheexplain？
　　SheCOULDN’Texplain。Therearesomethingsthatcannotbeexplained。
　　"IdidthinkIcared——trulyIdid——butIknownowIdon’t。"
　　"Youhaveruinedmylife，"saidRoybitterly。
　　"Forgiveme，"pleadedAnnemiserably，withhotcheeksandstingingeyes。
　　Royturnedawayandstoodforafewminuteslookingoutseaward。
　　WhenhecamebacktoAnne，hewasverypaleagain。
　　"Youcangivemenohope？"hesaid。
　　Anneshookherheadmutely。
　　"Then——good-bye，"saidRoy。"Ican’tunderstandit——I
　　can’tbelieveyouarenotthewomanI’vebelievedyoutobe。
　　Butreproachesareidlebetweenus。YouaretheonlywomanIcaneverlove。Ithankyouforyourfriendship，atleast。
　　Good-bye，Anne。"
　　"Good-bye，"falteredAnne。WhenRoyhadgoneshesatforalongtimeinthepavilion，watchingawhitemistcreepingsubtlyandremorselesslylandwarduptheharbor。Itwasherhourofhumiliationandself-contemptandshame。Theirwaveswentoverher。Andyet，underneathitall，wasaqueersenseofrecoveredfreedom。
　　SheslippedintoPatty’sPlaceintheduskandescapedtoherroom。
　　ButPhilwasthereonthewindowseat。
　　"Wait，"saidAnne，flushingtoanticipatethescene。"WaittilyouhearwhatIhavetosay。Phil，Royaskedmetomarryhim-andIrefused。"
　　"You——youREFUSEDhim？"saidPhilblankly。
　　"Yes。"
　　"AnneShirley，areyouinyoursenses？"
　　"Ithinkso，"saidAnnewearily。"Oh，Phil，don’tscoldme。
　　Youdon’tunderstand。"
　　"Icertainlydon’tunderstand。You’veencouragedRoyGardnerineverywayfortwoyears——andnowyoutellmeyou’verefusedhim。
　　Thenyou’vejustbeenflirtingscandalouslywithhim。Anne，I
　　couldn’thavebelieveditofYOU。"
　　"IWASN’Tflirtingwithhim——IhonestlythoughtIcareduptothelastminute——andthen——well，IjustknewINEVERcouldmarryhim。"
　　"Isuppose，"saidPhilcruelly，"thatyouintendedtomarryhimforhismoney，andthenyourbetterselfroseupandpreventedyou。"
　　"IDIDN’T。Ineverthoughtabouthismoney。Oh，Ican’texplainittoyouanymorethanIcouldtohim。"
　　"Well，IcertainlythinkyouhavetreatedRoyshamefully，"saidPhilinexasperation。"He’shandsomeandcleverandrichandgood。
　　Whatmoredoyouwant？"
　　"IwantsomeonewhoBELONGSinmylife。Hedoesn’t。Iwassweptoffmyfeetatfirstbyhisgoodlooksandknackofpayingromanticcompliments；andlateronIthoughtIMUSTbeinlovebecausehewasmydark-eyedideal。"
　　"Iambadenoughfornotknowingmyownmind，butyouareworse，"
　　saidPhil。
　　"_I_DOknowmyownmind，"protestedAnne。"Thetroubleis，mymindchangesandthenIhavetogetacquaintedwithitalloveragain。"
　　"Well，Isupposethereisnouseinsayinganythingtoyou。"
　　"Thereisnoneed，Phil。I’minthedust。Thishasspoiledeverythingbackwards。IcanneverthinkofRedmonddayswithoutrecallingthehumiliationofthisevening。Roydespisesme——
　　andyoudespiseme——andIdespisemyself。"
　　"Youpoordarling，"saidPhil，melting。"Justcomehereandletmecomfortyou。I’venorighttoscoldyou。I’dhavemarriedAlecorAlonzoifIhadn’tmetJo。Oh，Anne，thingsaresomixed-upinreallife。Theyaren’tclear-cutandtrimmedoff，astheyareinnovels。"
　　"IhopethatNOonewilleveragainaskmetomarryhimaslongasIlive，"sobbedpoorAnne，devoutlybelievingthatshemeantit。
　　ChapterXXXIX
　　DealswithWeddingsAnnefeltthatlifepartookofthenatureofananticlimaxduringthefirstfewweeksafterherreturntoGreenGables。ShemissedthemerrycomradeshipofPatty’sPlace。Shehaddreamedsomebrilliantdreamsduringthepastwinterandnowtheylayinthedustaroundher。Inherpresentmoodofself-disgust，shecouldnotimmediatelybegindreamingagain。Andshediscoveredthat，whilesolitudewithdreamsisglorious，solitudewithoutthemhasfewcharms。
　　ShehadnotseenRoyagainaftertheirpainfulpartingintheparkpavilion；butDorothycametoseeherbeforesheleftKingsport。
　　"I’mawfullysorryyouwon’tmarryRoy，"shesaid。"Ididwantyouforasister。Butyouarequiteright。Hewouldboreyoutodeath。
　　Ilovehim，andheisadearsweetboy，butreallyheisn’tabitinteresting。Helooksasifheoughttobe，butheisn’t。"
　　"Thiswon’tspoilOURfriendship，willit，Dorothy？"Annehadaskedwistfully。
　　"No，indeed。You’retoogoodtolose。IfIcan’thaveyouforasisterImeantokeepyouasachumanyway。Anddon’tfretoverRoy。Heisfeelingterriblyjustnow——Ihavetolistentohisoutpouringseveryday——buthe’llgetoverit。Healwaysdoes。"
　　"Oh——ALWAYS？"saidAnnewithaslightchangeofvoice。
　　"Sohehas`gotoverit’before？"
　　"Dearme，yes，"saidDorothyfrankly。"Twicebefore。Andheravedtomejustthesamebothtimes。Notthattheothersactuallyrefusedhim——theysimplyannouncedtheirengagementstosomeoneelse。Ofcourse，whenhemetyouhevowedtomethathehadneverreallylovedbefore——thatthepreviousaffairshadbeenmerelyboyishfancies。ButIdon’tthinkyouneedworry。"
　　Annedecidednottoworry。Herfeelingswereamixtureofreliefandresentment。Royhadcertainlytoldhershewastheonlyonehehadeverloved。Nodoubthebelievedit。Butitwasacomforttofeelthatshehadnot，inalllikelihood，ruinedhislife。
　　Therewereothergoddesses，andRoy，accordingtoDorothy，mustneedsbeworshippingatsomeshrine。Nevertheless，lifewasstrippedofseveralmoreillusions，andAnnebegantothinkdrearilythatitseemedratherbare。
　　Shecamedownfromtheporchgableontheeveningofherreturnwithasorrowfulface。
　　"WhathashappenedtotheoldSnowQueen，Marilla？"
　　"Oh，Iknewyou’dfeelbadoverthat，"saidMarilla。"Ifeltbadmyself。
　　ThattreewasthereeversinceIwasayounggirl。ItblewdowninthebiggalewehadinMarch。Itwasrottenatthecore。"
　　"I’llmissitso，"grievedAnne。"Theporchgabledoesn’tseemthesameroomwithoutit。I’llneverlookfromitswindowagainwithoutasenseofloss。Andoh，InevercamehometoGreenGablesbeforethatDianawasn’theretowelcomeme。"
　　"Dianahassomethingelsetothinkofjustnow，"saidMrs。Lyndesignificantly。
　　"Well，tellmealltheAvonleanews，"saidAnne，sittingdownontheporchsteps，wheretheeveningsunshinefelloverherhairinafinegoldenrain。
　　"Thereisn’tmuchnewsexceptwhatwe’vewroteyou，"saidMrs。Lynde。
　　"Isupposeyouhaven’theardthatSimonFletcherbrokehisleglastweek。
　　It’sagreatthingforhisfamily。They’regettingahundredthingsdonethatthey’vealwayswantedtodobutcouldn’taslongashewasabout，theoldcrank。"
　　"Hecameofanaggravatingfamily，"remarkedMarilla。
　　"Aggravating？Well，rather！Hismotherusedtogetupinprayer-meetingandtellallherchildren’sshortcomingsandaskprayersforthem。`Courseitmadethemmad，andworsethanever。"
　　"Youhaven’ttoldAnnethenewsaboutJane，"suggestedMarilla。
　　"Oh，Jane，"sniffedMrs。Lynde。"Well，"sheconcededgrudgingly，"JaneAndrewsishomefromtheWest——camelastweek——andshe’sgoingtobemarriedtoaWinnipegmillionaire。YoumaybesureMrs。Harmonlostnotimeintellingitfarandwide。"
　　"DearoldJane——I’msoglad，"saidAnneheartily。"Shedeservesthegoodthingsoflife。"
　　"Oh，Iain’tsayinganythingagainstJane。She’saniceenoughgirl。
　　Butsheisn’tinthemillionaireclass，andyou’llfindthere’snotmuchtorecommendthatmanbuthismoney，that’swhat。Mrs。Harmonsayshe’sanEnglishmanwhohasmademoneyinminesbut_I_believehe’llturnouttobeaYankee。Hecertainlymusthavemoney，forhehasjustshoweredJanewithjewelry。HerengagementringisadiamondclustersobigthatitlookslikeaplasteronJane’sfatpaw。"
　　Mrs。Lyndecouldnotkeepsomebitternessoutofhertone。
　　HerewasJaneAndrews，thatplainlittleplodder，engagedtoamillionaire，whileAnne，itseemed，wasnotyetbespokenbyanyone，richorpoor。AndMrs。HarmonAndrewsdidbraginsufferably。
　　"WhathasGilbertBlythebeendoingtoatcollege？"askedMarilla。
　　"Isawhimwhenhecamehomelastweek，andheissopaleandthinIhardlyknewhim。"
　　"Hestudiedveryhardlastwinter，"saidAnne。"YouknowhetookHighHonorsinClassicsandtheCooperPrize。Ithasn’tbeentakenforfiveyears！SoIthinkhe’sratherrundown。
　　We’reallalittletired。"
　　"Anyhow，you’reaB。A。andJaneAndrewsisn’tandneverwillbe，"
　　saidMrs。Lynde，withgloomysatisfaction。
　　AfeweveningslaterAnnewentdowntoseeJane，butthelatterwasawayinCharlottetown——"gettingsewingdone，"Mrs。HarmoninformedAnneproudly。"OfcourseanAvonleadressmakerwouldn’tdoforJaneunderthecircumstances。"
　　"I’veheardsomethingveryniceaboutJane，"saidAnne。
　　"Yes，Janehasdoneprettywell，evenifsheisn’taB。A。，"saidMrs。Harmon，withaslighttossofherhead。"Mr。Inglisisworthmillions，andthey’regoingtoEuropeontheirweddingtour。
　　Whentheycomebackthey’llliveinaperfectmansionofmarbleinWinnipeg。Janehasonlyonetrouble——shecancooksowellandherhusbandwon’tlethercook。Heissorichhehireshiscookingdone。They’regoingtokeepacookandtwoothermaidsandacoachmanandaman-of-all-work。ButwhataboutYOU，Anne？Idon’thearanythingofyourbeingmarried，afterallyourcollege-going。"
　　"Oh，"laughedAnne，"Iamgoingtobeanoldmaid。Ireallycan’tfindanyonetosuitme。"Itwasratherwickedofher。
　　ShedeliberatelymeanttoremindMrs。Andrewsthatifshebecameanoldmaiditwasnotbecauseshehadnothadatleastonechanceofmarriage。ButMrs。Harmontookswiftrevenge。
　　"Well，theover-particulargirlsgenerallygetleft，Inotice。
　　Andwhat’sthisIhearaboutGilbertBlythebeingengagedtoaMissStuart？CharlieSloanetellsmesheisperfectlybeautiful。
　　Isittrue？"
　　"Idon’tknowifitistruethatheisengagedtoMissStuart，"
　　repliedAnne，withSpartancomposure，"butitiscertainlytruethatsheisverylovely。"
　　"IoncethoughtyouandGilbertwouldhavemadeamatchofit，"
　　saidMrs。Harmon。"Ifyoudon’ttakecare，Anne，allofyourbeauxwillslipthroughyourfingers。"
　　AnnedecidednottocontinueherduelwithMrs。Harmon。
　　Youcouldnotfencewithanantagonistwhometrapierthrustwithblowofbattleaxe。
　　"SinceJaneisaway，"shesaid，risinghaughtily，"Idon’tthinkIcanstaylongerthismorning。I’llcomedownwhenshecomeshome。"
　　"Do，"saidMrs。Harmoneffusively。"Janeisn’tabitproud。
　　Shejustmeanstoassociatewithheroldfriendsthesameasever。
　　She’llberealgladtoseeyou。"
　　Jane’smillionairearrivedthelastofMayandcarriedheroffinablazeofsplendor。Mrs。LyndewasspitefullygratifiedtofindthatMr。Ingliswaseverydayofforty，andshortandthinandgrayish。Mrs。Lyndedidnotsparehiminherenumerationofhisshortcomings，youmaybesure。
　　"Itwilltakeallhisgoldtogildapilllikehim，that’swhat，"
　　saidMrs。Rachelsolemnly。
　　"Helookskindandgood-hearted，"saidAnneloyally，"andI’msurehethinkstheworldofJane。"
　　"Humph！"saidMrs。Rachel。
　　PhilGordonwasmarriedthenextweekandAnnewentovertoBolingbroketobeherbridesmaid。Philmadeadaintyfairyofabride，andtheRev。Jowassoradiantinhishappinessthatnobodythoughthimplain。
　　"We’regoingforalovers’saunterthroughthelandofEvangeline，"
　　saidPhil，"andthenwe’llsettledownonPattersonStreet。
　　Motherthinksitisterrible——shethinksJomightatleasttakeachurchinadecentplace。ButthewildernessofthePattersonslumswillblossomliketheroseformeifJoisthere。
　　Oh，Anne，I’msohappymyheartacheswithit。"
　　Annewasalwaysgladinthehappinessofherfriends；butitissometimesalittlelonelytobesurroundedeverywherebyahappinessthatisnotyourown。AnditwasjustthesamewhenshewentbacktoAvonlea。ThistimeitwasDianawhowasbathedinthewonderfulglorythatcomestoawomanwhenherfirst-bornislaidbesideher。AnnelookedatthewhiteyoungmotherwithacertainawethathadneverenteredintoherfeelingsforDianabefore。Couldthispalewomanwiththeraptureinhereyesbethelittleblack-curled，rosy-cheekedDianashehadplayedwithinvanishedschooldays？Itgaveheraqueerdesolatefeelingthatsheherselfsomehowbelongedonlyinthosepastyearsandhadnobusinessinthepresentatall。
　　"Isn’theperfectlybeautiful？"saidDianaproudly。
　　ThelittlefatfellowwasabsurdlylikeFred——justasround，justasred。Annereallycouldnotsayconscientiouslythatshethoughthimbeautiful，butshevowedsincerelythathewassweetandkissableandaltogetherdelightful。
　　"BeforehecameIwantedagirl，sothatIcouldcallherANNE，"
　　saidDiana。"ButnowthatlittleFredishereIwouldn’texchangehimforamilliongirls。HejustCOULDN’Thavebeenanythingbuthisownpreciousself。"
　　"`Everylittlebabyisthesweetestandthebest，’"quotedMrs。Allangaily。"IflittleAnneHADcomeyou’dhavefeltjustthesameabouther。"
　　Mrs。AllanwasvisitinginAvonlea，forthefirsttimesinceleavingit。Shewasasgayandsweetandsympatheticasever。
　　Heroldgirlfriendshadwelcomedherbackrapturously。
　　Thereigningminister’swifewasanestimablelady，butshewasnotexactlyakindredspirit。
　　"Icanhardlywaittillhegetsoldenoughtotalk，"sighedDiana。
　　"Ijustlongtohearhimsay`mother。’Andoh，I’mdeterminedthathisfirstmemoryofmeshallbeaniceone。ThefirstmemoryI
　　haveofmymotherisofherslappingmeforsomethingIhaddone。
　　IamsureIdeservedit，andmotherwasalwaysagoodmotherandI
　　loveherdearly。ButIdowishmyfirstmemoryofherwasnicer。"
　　"Ihavejustonememoryofmymotheranditisthesweetestofallmymemories，"saidMrs。Allan。"Iwasfiveyearsold，andI
　　hadbeenallowedtogotoschoolonedaywithmytwooldersisters。
　　Whenschoolcameoutmysisterswenthomeindifferentgroups，eachsupposingIwaswiththeother。InsteadIhadrunoffwithalittlegirlIhadplayedwithatrecess。Wewenttoherhome，whichwasneartheschool，andbeganmakingmudpies。Wewerehavingaglorioustimewhenmyoldersisterarrived，breathlessandangry。
　　"`Younaughtygirl"shecried，snatchingmyreluctanthandanddraggingmealongwithher。`Comehomethisminute。Oh，you’regoingtocatchit！Motherisawfulcross。Sheisgoingtogiveyouagoodwhipping。’
　　"Ihadneverbeenwhipped。Dreadandterrorfilledmypoorlittleheart。IhaveneverbeensomiserableinmylifeasIwasonthatwalkhome。Ihadnotmeanttobenaughty。PhemyCameronhadaskedmetogohomewithherandIhadnotknownitwaswrongtogo。AndnowIwastobewhippedforit。Whenwegothomemysisterdraggedmeintothekitchenwheremotherwassittingbythefireinthetwilight。MypoorweelegsweretremblingsothatIcouldhardlystand。Andmother——motherjusttookmeupinherarms，withoutonewordofrebukeorharshness，kissedmeandheldmeclosetoherheart。`Iwassofrightenedyouwerelost，darling，’shesaidtenderly。Icouldseetheloveshininginhereyesasshelookeddownonme。SheneverscoldedorreproachedmeforwhatIhaddone——onlytoldmeImustnevergoawayagainwithoutaskingpermission。Shediedverysoonafterwards。ThatistheonlymemoryIhaveofher。Isn’titabeautifulone？"
　　Annefeltlonelierthaneverasshewalkedhome，goingbywayoftheBirchPathandWillowmere。Shehadnotwalkedthatwayformanymoons。Itwasadarkly-purplebloomynight。Theairwasheavywithblossomfragrance——almosttooheavy。Thecloyedsensesrecoiledfromitasfromanoverfullcup。Thebirchesofthepathhadgrownfromthefairysaplingsofoldtobigtrees。
　　Everythinghadchanged。Annefeltthatshewouldbegladwhenthesummerwasoverandshewasawayatworkagain。Perhapslifewouldnotseemsoemptythen。
　　"`I’vetriedtheworld——itwearsnomoreThecoloringofromanceitwore，’"
　　sighedAnne——andwasstraightwaymuchcomfortedbytheromanceintheideaoftheworldbeingdenudedofromance！
　　ChapterXL
　　ABookofRevelationTheIrvingscamebacktoEchoLodgeforthesummer，andAnnespentahappythreeweeksthereinJuly。MissLavendarhadnotchanged；
　　CharlottatheFourthwasaverygrown-upyoungladynow，butstilladoredAnnesincerely。
　　"Whenall’ssaidanddone，MissShirley，ma’am，Ihaven’tseenanyoneinBostonthat’sequaltoyou，"shesaidfrankly。
　　Paulwasalmostgrownup，too。Hewassixteen，hischestnutcurlshadgivenplacetoclose-croppedbrownlocks，andhewasmoreinterestedinfootballthanfairies。Butthebondbetweenhimandhisoldteacherstillheld。Kindredspiritsalonedonotchangewithchangingyears。
　　Itwasawet，bleak，crueleveninginJulywhenAnnecamebacktoGreenGables。Oneofthefiercesummerstormswhichsometimessweepoverthegulfwasravagingthesea。AsAnnecameinthefirstraindropsdashedagainstthepanes。
　　"WasthatPaulwhobroughtyouhome？"askedMarilla。"Whydidn’tyoumakehimstayallnight。It’sgoingtobeawildevening。"
　　"He’llreachEchoLodgebeforetheraingetsveryheavy，Ithink。
　　Anyway，hewantedtogobacktonight。Well，I’vehadasplendidvisit，butI’mgladtoseeyoudearfolksagain。`East，west，hame’sbest。’Davy，haveyoubeengrowingagainlately？"
　　"I’vegrowedawholeinchsinceyouleft，"saidDavyproudly。
　　"I’mastallasMiltyBoulternow。Ain’tIglad。He’llhavetostopcrowingaboutbeingbigger。Say，Anne，didyouknowthatGilbertBlytheisdying？"Annestoodquitesilentandmotionless，lookingatDavy。HerfacehadgonesowhitethatMarillathoughtshewasgoingtofaint。
　　"Davy，holdyourtongue，"saidMrs。Rachelangrily。"Anne，don’tlooklikethat——DON’TLOOKLIKETHAT！Wedidn’tmeantotellyousosuddenly。"
　　"Is——it——true？"askedAnneinavoicethatwasnothers。
　　"Gilbertisveryill，"saidMrs。Lyndegravely。"HetookdownwithtyphoidfeverjustafteryouleftforEchoLodge。Didyouneverhearofit？"
　　"No，"saidthatunknownvoice。
　　"Itwasaverybadcasefromthestart。Thedoctorsaidhe’dbeenterriblyrundown。They’veatrainednurseandeverything’sbeendone。DON’Tlooklikethat，Anne。Whilethere’slifethere’shope。"
　　"Mr。Harrisonwasherethiseveningandhesaidtheyhadnohopeofhim，"
　　reiteratedDavy。
　　Marilla，lookingoldandwornandtired，gotupandmarchedDavygrimlyoutofthekitchen。
　　"Oh，DON’Tlookso，dear，"saidMrs。Rachel，puttingherkindoldarmsaboutthepallidgirl。"Ihaven’tgivenuphope，indeedIhaven’t。
　　He’sgottheBlytheconstitutioninhisfavor，that’swhat。"
　　AnnegentlyputMrs。Lynde’sarmsawayfromher，walkedblindlyacrossthekitchen，throughthehall，upthestairstoheroldroom。
　　Atitswindowshekneltdown，staringoutunseeingly。Itwasverydark。
　　Therainwasbeatingdownovertheshiveringfields。TheHauntedWoodswasfullofthegroansofmightytreeswrunginthetempest，andtheairthrobbedwiththethunderouscrashofbillowsonthedistantshore。
　　AndGilbertwasdying！
　　ThereisabookofRevelationineveryone’slife，asthereisintheBible。
　　Annereadhersthatbitternight，asshekeptheragonizedvigilthroughthehoursofstormanddarkness。ShelovedGilbert——hadalwayslovedhim！
　　Sheknewthatnow。Sheknewthatshecouldnomorecasthimoutofherlifewithoutagonythanshecouldhavecutoffherrighthandandcastitfromher。
　　Andtheknowledgehadcometoolate——toolateevenforthebittersolaceofbeingwithhimatthelast。Ifshehadnotbeensoblind——sofoolish——shewouldhavehadtherighttogotohimnow。Buthewouldneverknowthatshelovedhim——hewouldgoawayfromthislifethinkingthatshedidnotcare。Oh，theblackyearsofemptinessstretchingbeforeher！
　　Shecouldnotlivethroughthem——shecouldnot！Shecowereddownbyherwindowandwished，forthefirsttimeinhergayyounglife，thatshecoulddie，too。IfGilbertwentawayfromher，withoutonewordorsignormessage，shecouldnotlive。Nothingwasofanyvaluewithouthim。
　　Shebelongedtohimandhetoher。Inherhourofsupremeagonyshehadnodoubtofthat。HedidnotloveChristineStuart——neverhadlovedChristineStuart。Oh，whatafoolshehadbeennottorealizewhatthebondwasthathadheldhertoGilbert——tothinkthattheflatteredfancyshehadfeltforRoyGardnerhadbeenlove。Andnowshemustpayforherfollyasforacrime。
　　Mrs。LyndeandMarillacrepttoherdoorbeforetheywenttobed，shooktheirheadsdoubtfullyateachotheroverthesilence，andwentaway。Thestormragedallnight，butwhenthedawncameitwasspent。Annesawafairyfringeoflightontheskirtsofdarkness。Soontheeasternhilltopshadafire-shotrubyrim。
　　Thecloudsrolledthemselvesawayintogreat，soft，whitemassesonthehorizon；theskygleamedblueandsilvery。Ahushfellovertheworld。
　　Annerosefromherkneesandcreptdownstairs。Thefreshnessoftherain-windblewagainstherwhitefaceasshewentoutintotheyard，andcooledherdry，burningeyes。Amerryrollickingwhistlewasliltingupthelane。AmomentlaterPacifiqueBuotecameinsight。
　　Anne’sphysicalstrengthsuddenlyfailedher。Ifshehadnotclutchedatalowwillowboughshewouldhavefallen。PacifiquewasGeorgeFletcher’shiredman，andGeorgeFletcherlivednextdoortotheBlythes。Mrs。FletcherwasGilbert’saunt。
　　Pacifiquewouldknowif——if——Pacifiquewouldknowwhattherewastobeknown。
　　Pacifiquestrodesturdilyonalongtheredlane，whistling。HedidnotseeAnne。Shemadethreefutileattemptstocallhim。
　　Hewasalmostpastbeforeshesucceededinmakingherquiveringlipscall，"Pacifique！"
　　Pacifiqueturnedwithagrinandacheerfulgoodmorning。
　　"Pacifique，"saidAnnefaintly，"didyoucomefromGeorgeFletcher’sthismorning？"
　　"Sure，"saidPacifiqueamiably。"Igotdewordlas’nightdatmyfader，hewasseeck。ItwassostormydatIcouldn’tgoden，soI
　　startvairearlydismornin’。I’mgoin’troodewoodsforshortcut。"
　　"DidyouhearhowGilbertBlythewasthismorning？"Anne’sdesperationdrovehertothequestion。Eventheworstwouldbemoreendurablethanthishideoussuspense。
　　"He’sbetter，"saidPacifique。"Hegotdeturnlas’night。
　　Dedoctorsayhe’llbeallrightnowdissoonwhile。Hadcloseshave，dough！Datboy，hejus’keelhimselfatcollege。
　　Well，Imus’hurry。Deoldman，he’llbeinhurrytoseeme。"
　　Pacifiqueresumedhiswalkandhiswhistle。Annegazedafterhimwitheyeswherejoywasdrivingoutthestrainedanguishofthenight。
　　Hewasaverylank，veryragged，veryhomelyyouth。Butinhersighthewasasbeautifulasthosewhobringgoodtidingsonthemountains。
　　Never，aslongasshelived，wouldAnneseePacifique’sbrown，round，black-eyedfacewithoutawarmremembranceofthemomentwhenhehadgiventohertheoilofjoyformourning。
　　LongafterPacifique’sgaywhistlehadfadedintothephantomofmusicandthenintosilencefarupunderthemaplesofLover’sLaneAnnestoodunderthewillows，tastingthepoignantsweetnessoflifewhensomegreatdreadhasbeenremovedfromit。Themorningwasacupfilledwithmistandglamor。Inthecornernearherwasarichsurpriseofnew-blown，crystal-dewedroses。
　　Thetrillsandtricklesofsongfromthebirdsinthebigtreeaboveherseemedinperfectaccordwithhermood。Asentencefromaveryold，verytrue，verywonderfulBookcametoherlips，"Weepingmayendureforanightbutjoycomethinthemorning。"
　　XLI
　　LoveTakesUptheGlassofTime"I’vecomeuptoaskyoutogoforoneofourold-timeramblesthroughSeptemberwoodsand`overhillswherespicesgrow，’thisafternoon，"saidGilbert，comingsuddenlyaroundtheporchcorner。
　　"SupposewevisitHesterGray’sgarden。"
　　Anne，sittingonthestonestepwithherlapfullofapale，filmy，greenstuff，lookedupratherblankly。
　　"Oh，IwishIcould，"shesaidslowly，"butIreallycan’t，Gilbert。I’mgoingtoAlicePenhallow’sweddingthisevening，youknow。I’vegottodosomethingtothisdress，andbythetimeit’sfinishedI’llhavetogetready。I’msosorry。
　　I’dlovetogo。"
　　"Well，canyougotomorrowafternoon，then？"askedGilbert，apparentlynotmuchdisappointed。
　　"Yes，Ithinkso。"
　　"InthatcaseIshallhiemehomeatoncetodosomethingI
　　shouldotherwisehavetodotomorrow。SoAlicePenhallowistobemarriedtonight。Threeweddingsforyouinonesummer，Anne——Phil’s，Alice’s，andJane’s。I’llneverforgiveJanefornotinvitingmetoherwedding。"
　　"Youreallycan’tblameherwhenyouthinkofthetremendousAndrewsconnectionwhohadtobeinvited。Thehousecouldhardlyholdthemall。IwasonlybiddenbygraceofbeingJane’soldchum——atleastonJane’spart。IthinkMrs。Harmon’smotiveforinvitingmewastoletmeseeJane’ssurpassinggorgeousness。"
　　"Isittruethatsheworesomanydiamondsthatyoucouldn’ttellwherethediamondsleftoffandJanebegan？"
　　Annelaughed。
　　"Shecertainlyworeagoodmany。Whatwithallthediamondsandwhitesatinandtulleandlaceandrosesandorangeblossoms，primlittleJanewasalmostlosttosight。ButshewasVERY
　　happy，andsowasMr。Inglis——andsowasMrs。Harmon。"
　　"Isthatthedressyou’regoingtoweartonight？"askedGilbert，lookingdownatthefluffsandfrills。
　　"Yes。Isn’titpretty？AndIshallwearstarflowersinmyhair。
　　TheHauntedWoodisfullofthemthissummer。"
　　GilberthadasuddenvisionofAnne，arrayedinafrillygreengown，withthevirginalcurvesofarmsandthroatslippingoutofit，andwhitestarsshiningagainstthecoilsofherruddyhair。
　　Thevisionmadehimcatchhisbreath。Butheturnedlightlyaway。
　　"Well，I’llbeuptomorrow。Hopeyou’llhaveanicetimetonight。"
　　Annelookedafterhimashestrodeaway，andsighed。Gilbertwasfriendly——veryfriendly——fartoofriendly。HehadcomequiteoftentoGreenGablesafterhisrecovery，andsomethingoftheiroldcomradeshiphadreturned。ButAnnenolongerfounditsatisfying。
　　Theroseoflovemadetheblossomoffriendshippaleandscentlessbycontrast。AndAnnehadagainbeguntodoubtifGilbertnowfeltanythingforherbutfriendship。Inthecommonlightofcommondayherradiantcertaintyofthatraptmorninghadfaded。Shewashauntedbyamiserablefearthathermistakecouldneverberectified。
　　ItwasquitelikelythatitwasChristinewhomGilbertlovedafterall。
　　Perhapshewasevenengagedtoher。Annetriedtoputallunsettlinghopesoutofherheart，andreconcileherselftoafuturewhereworkandambitionmusttaketheplaceoflove。Shecoulddogood，ifnotnoble，workasateacher；andthesuccessherlittlesketcheswerebeginningtomeetwithincertaineditorialsanctumsauguredwellforherbuddingliterarydreams。But——but——Annepickeduphergreendressandsighedagain。
　　WhenGilbertcamethenextafternoonhefoundAnnewaitingforhim，freshasthedawnandfairasastar，afterallthegaietyoftheprecedingnight。Sheworeagreendress——nottheoneshehadworntothewedding，butanoldonewhichGilberthadtoldherataRedmondreceptionhelikedespecially。Itwasjusttheshadeofgreenthatbroughtouttherichtintsofherhair，andthestarrygrayofhereyesandtheiris-likedelicacyofherskin。Gilbert，glancingathersidewaysastheywalkedalongashadowywoodpath，thoughtshehadneverlookedsolovely。Anne，glancingsidewaysatGilbert，nowandthen，thoughthowmucholderhelookedsincehisillness。Itwasasifhehadputboyhoodbehindhimforever。
　　Thedaywasbeautifulandthewaywasbeautiful。AnnewasalmostsorrywhentheyreachedHesterGray’sgarden，andsatdownontheoldbench。Butitwasbeautifulthere，too——asbeautifulasithadbeenonthefarawaydayoftheGoldenPicnic，whenDianaandJaneandPriscillaandshehadfoundit。Thenithadbeenlovelywithnarcissusandviolets；nowgoldenrodhadkindleditsfairytorchesinthecornersandastersdotteditbluely。Thecallofthebrookcameupthroughthewoodsfromthevalleyofbircheswithallitsoldallurement；themellowairwasfullofthepurrofthesea；beyondwerefieldsrimmedbyfencesbleachedsilverygrayinthesunsofmanysummers，andlonghillsscarfedwiththeshadowsofautumnalclouds；withtheblowingofthewestwindolddreamsreturned。
　　"Ithink，"saidAnnesoftly，"that`thelandwheredreamscometrue’
　　isinthebluehazeyonder，overthatlittlevalley。"
　　"Haveyouanyunfulfilleddreams，Anne？"askedGilbert。
　　Somethinginhistone——somethingshehadnotheardsincethatmiserableeveningintheorchardatPatty’sPlace——madeAnne’sheartbeatwildly。Butshemadeanswerlightly。
　　"Ofcourse。Everybodyhas。Itwouldn’tdoforustohaveallourdreamsfulfilled。Wewouldbeasgoodasdeadifwehadnothinglefttodreamabout。Whatadeliciousaromathatlow-descendingsunisextractingfromtheastersandferns。
　　Iwishwecouldseeperfumesaswellassmellthem。I’msuretheywouldbeverybeautiful。"
　　Gilbertwasnottobethussidetracked。
　　"Ihaveadream，"hesaidslowly。"Ipersistindreamingit，althoughithasoftenseemedtomethatitcouldnevercometrue。
　　Idreamofahomewithahearth-fireinit，acatanddog，thefootstepsoffriends——andYOU！"
　　Annewantedtospeakbutshecouldfindnowords。Happinesswasbreakingoverherlikeawave。Italmostfrightenedher。
　　"Iaskedyouaquestionovertwoyearsago，Anne。IfIaskitagaintodaywillyougivemeadifferentanswer？"
　　StillAnnecouldnotspeak。Butsheliftedhereyes，shiningwithallthelove-raptureofcountlessgenerations，andlookedintohisforamoment。Hewantednootheranswer。
　　Theylingeredintheoldgardenuntiltwilight，sweetasduskinEdenmusthavebeen，creptoverit。Therewassomuchtotalkoverandrecall——thingssaidanddoneandheardandthoughtandfeltandmisunderstood。
　　"IthoughtyoulovedChristineStuart，"Annetoldhim，asreproachfullyasifshehadnotgivenhimeveryreasontosupposethatshelovedRoyGardner。
　　Gilbertlaughedboyishly。
　　"Christinewasengagedtosomebodyinherhometown。IknewitandsheknewIknewit。WhenherbrothergraduatedhetoldmehissisterwascomingtoKingsportthenextwintertotakemusic，andaskedmeifIwouldlookafterherabit，assheknewnooneandwouldbeverylonely。SoIdid。AndthenIlikedChristineforherownsake。SheisoneofthenicestgirlsI’veeverknown。Iknewcollegegossipcrediteduswithbeinginlovewitheachother。Ididn’tcare。Nothingmatteredmuchtomeforatimethere，afteryoutoldmeyoucouldneverloveme，Anne。
　　Therewasnobodyelse——therenevercouldbeanybodyelseformebutyou。I’velovedyoueversincethatdayyoubrokeyourslateovermyheadinschool。"
　　"Idon’tseehowyoucouldkeeponlovingmewhenIwassuchalittlefool，"saidAnne。
　　"Well，Itriedtostop，"saidGilbertfrankly，"notbecauseI
　　thoughtyouwhatyoucallyourself，butbecauseIfeltsuretherewasnochanceformeafterGardnercameonthescene。ButI
　　couldn’t——andIcan’ttellyou，either，whatit’smeanttomethesetwoyearstobelieveyouweregoingtomarryhim，andbetoldeveryweekbysomebusybodythatyourengagementwasonthepointofbeingannounced。IbelievedituntiloneblesseddaywhenIwassittingupafterthefever。IgotaletterfromPhilGordon——PhilBlake，rather——inwhichshetoldmetherewasreallynothingbetweenyouandRoy，andadvisedmeto`tryagain。’
　　Well，thedoctorwasamazedatmyrapidrecoveryafterthat。"
　　Annelaughed——thenshivered。
　　"IcanneverforgetthenightIthoughtyouweredying，Gilbert。
　　Oh，Iknew——IKNEWthen——andIthoughtitwastoolate。"
　　"Butitwasn’t，sweetheart。Oh，Anne，thismakesupforeverything，doesn’tit？Let’sresolvetokeepthisdaysacredtoperfectbeautyallourlivesforthegiftithasgivenus。"
　　"It’sthebirthdayofourhappiness，"saidAnnesoftly。
　　"I’vealwayslovedthisoldgardenofHesterGray’s，andnowitwillbedearerthanever。"
　　"ButI’llhavetoaskyoutowaitalongtime，Anne，"
　　saidGilbertsadly。"ItwillbethreeyearsbeforeI’llfinishmymedicalcourse。Andeventhentherewillbenodiamondsunburstsandmarblehalls。"
　　Annelaughed。
　　"Idon’twantsunburstsandmarblehalls。IjustwantYOU。
　　YouseeI’mquiteasshamelessasPhilaboutit。Sunburstsandmarblehallsmaybeallverywell，butthereismore`scopeforimagination’withoutthem。Andasforthewaiting，thatdoesn’tmatter。We’lljustbehappy，waitingandworkingforeachother——anddreaming。Oh，dreamswillbeverysweetnow。"
　　Gilbertdrewherclosetohimandkissedher。Thentheywalkedhometogetherinthedusk，crownedkingandqueeninthebridalrealmoflove，alongwindingpathsfringedwiththesweetestflowersthateverbloomed，andoverhauntedmeadowswherewindsofhopeandmemoryblew。
　　End