Purple light was seeping into the air of Ingleside, and Rilla felt her heart fluttering as the magic of the evening set in. Why wouldn't her heart keep steady? And there—she had lisped again. Would she never grow out of the habit? She flushed miserably, suddenly feeling awkward before handsome, stately, heroic Kenneth.

"Rilla," he laughed, "you look just as flustered as Mrs. Elliot said you were after Mary chased you with the salted cod."

A relieved laugh escaped from Rilla's throat, and she stepped further onto the porch. "Don't remind me of that—or of that horrible conversation that Susan started that night, if it could be called a conversation! I was so embarrassed—she was talking of spanking you—you, a brave warrior! Even though it was about you as a child, why dig up those stories?"

"I'm no braver than many," Kenneth stated, shaking his head. Rilla looked at him with a sudden realization. The boyishness was gone from his face, and there was a depth to his expression and voice that hadn't been there before. The attractive officer had seen bravery and sacrifice, hatred and courage, unspeakable crimes and amazing acts of valor. He had learned many subtle things about human nature and a surprising amount of deep, revealing things, and it had changed him for the better. Yet overall, he was still Ken Ford—wonderful, dear Kenneth!

"I'd like you to come down to Rainbow Valley, Bertha Marilla," Ken smiled. There was something in his voice that made Rilla tremble with hope. Could it be? She gazed out to the Four Winds lighthouse, its revolving light flashing across the sea, and smiled. "Let me just leave a note for Mother and Father."

xXx

Ken sat down beneath the glowing White Lady, Rilla beside him. He looked again at the pretty, sculpted face with its womanly hazel eyes and bronzed red hair. How brave this young maiden must have been through the days of the war! Even now, he noticed that her eyes were gazing at the pale tree, beloved by Walter, with a knowing and bittersweet expression. He turned towards her, unable to wait any longer.

"Bertha Marilla Blythe, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

It wasn't really a question, but Rilla answered at once, her beautiful face wreathed with radiant joy. At last, after four years of sweetness and bitterness, darkness and light, waiting and discovering, her womanhood had reached its first great epoch.

"So do I, Kenneth," she whispered, leaning forward and clasping his hands. "Forever and alwayth."

XxX

Anne and Gilbert were waiting in the sitting room when Rilla came back, exchanging a little banter. Anne was sewing and Gilbert was reading the newspaper, but when a strangely glowing daughter swept into the room, they looked up questioningly.

"We got your note," Rilla's mother said, rising to meet her daughter. Her grey eyes still glowed with the charm of the old Anne Shirley. She used a 'new-fangled' expression. "What's up?"

"I'm going to be married, Mother!" Rilla burst out as Gilbert leapt up from his seat. She was soon enveloped in a small group hug.

"I can't say we're surprised, dearest!" Anne exclaimed. " But that's wonderful, Rilla, so wonderful!"

"I'm so proud of you," Gilbert intoned, feeling a surge of fatherly pride. "Kenneth is a wonderful young man."

Rilla blushed. "He certainly is."

xXx

The starry-eyed betrothed one wrote in her diary that night. I am ENGAGED to Kenneth Ford. KENNETH Ford! I fear there will be a terrible lot of italics from now on! He met me in misty, purple Rainbow Valley, underneath Walter's White Lady, and he asked the question…WITHOUT a question mark! I gave him my answer. I am SO HAPPY right now!