This chapter is mostly about Anne and Gilbert. I love how they stayed in love for so many years. They have such a sweet story.
"May I speak to you, Dr. Blythe?" Kenneth Ford addressed the good doctor in a quiet manner. He had been invited to dinner and though there had been the usual awkwardness of long separation he had felt instantly welcome. Anne had soon figured out the truth between him and Rilla and though she had kept it a secret he could see her occasional smile and sigh. The rest had taken quite as a matter of course that he should call and did not see the frequent glances, smiles or even the notable fact that he was sitting next to Rilla. Dr. Blythe had not the least suspicion of the reason for this unusual conversation. He had not noticed Rilla's altered moods for the last few weeks and even if he had he would have subscribed it to grief over Walter. Like most fathers he viewed her as much as a child as little Bruce Meredith.
"Of course, perhaps a walk around the garden would be nice."
The evening was flush with the ecstasy of spring and the scent of lilacs and honeysuckle almost sickened the senses with their riotous odor. It was soothing to see how little this spot had changed. War had altered his prospective but not this shut away corner of Glen St. Mary.
Kenneth spoke without preamble. The war had taught him an abruptness of manner as well as a certain grave confidence, which was vastly different than his old cocky manner. " I want to ask your permission to marry Rilla."
If he had said he wished to murder Rilla Dr. Blythe would not have been more astonished. It was not just that his daughter was to his mind far too young to consider marriage but the utterly shocking fact that a boy who had shown no interest in his daughter at all was asking to marry her.
"She is very young." He replied cautiously.
"She is nineteen, Sir."
Dr. Blythe did not immediately answer but instead walked a few paces before turning to Kenneth. He was unusually grave but he was by no means unkind. "Rilla is very dear to me and my wife for she is the only one who was always at home through those dark days. She has been a comfort and support despite her youth. I suppose that I hoped to keep her a little longer but if she cares for you we must give her up."
"I believe she does care."
" You are Owen and Leslie Ford's son and a frequent visitor to our house. But I have not been unaware of certain rumors of your conduct previously. You have not seen each other for four years. How can you be sure that your affection for her will last a lifetime?"
Dr. Blythe could be very stern when he chose and this sternness made the young man flush slightly. "I assure you, Sir, that though my conduct was often thoughtless I never took unfair advantage of anyone. In addition I have loved your daughter for four years and viewed her correspondence as an essential part of my life. I am not wealthy but I have good prospects."
" I do believe you. I have no objection to you but I ask that a period of time elapse between an official engagements. I think it wise that you learn to know each other in person and that the normal courtship, which the war broke, would go on. Marriage is an exceedingly serious thing and my daughter is very much changed since you left. In many ways you are strangers to each other."
It was something of a disappointment to endure yet another delay but as the doctor was acting in utter sensibility Kenneth could not object. He had in his own mind no idea of changing his mind but perhaps Rilla would find him too altered from when he went away. So much of their time had been spent apart.
So he replied, "Thank you, Dr. Blythe. I may call on her?"
"Yes, you may. And I will warn you that all the good ladies of Glen St. Mary will be utterly scandalized and Mrs. Elliot may make sundry remarks about men as is her wont."
And so with a laugh that might have disguised a sigh Dr. Blythe went into the house to tell Anne the momentous news. She was writing letters with her usual delight in speaking her mind and he paused to watch her. The thought that his small daughter was now old enough to marry was unsettling. It did strike him as somewhat amusing that he had been terribly in love with Anne at the very same age that Rilla was now. How young he had been.
"Well, it seems that all these young people are making secrets behind our back. Kenneth Ford wants to marry our Rilla." He put his hand on her shoulder and sighed deeply.
"And what did you tell him?" Anne did not seem terribly surprised though she did put her pen down and turn to him.
"I told him he would have to wait a few months before he could consider an official engagement. I want to make sure that he really cares for her."
" I am sure he does. In fact they have loved each other for three years." Anne announced as if it was quite a regular and ordinary proceeding.
"How do you know? Or was it one of those unscientific things mothers know." He smiled down on her as she laughed.
"Rilla confessed that he had asked her not to kiss anyone else until he came back. And I could tell by her manner she loves him. Poor thing. It has been so hard for her. When I look back on how quiet and peaceful things were in our day it makes me so sad. To think the worst thing I had to worry about was the cow going into Mr. Harrison's field."
" Were we so secretive once?" He sat down beside the fire as the breeze ruffled her hair. It had begun to grey but still curled luxuriantly.
" Yes, of course. You might remember that I was unaware of being in love with you until it was almost too late. Really though, our children are so very sensible. They all know how they feel about the one they love. But I will miss her. We are so close to each other." She had begun on a happy note but sighed at the end.
He did not reply. He was thinking of how Anne would be affected but yet another loss. She was already so much changed from her old spritely self. But recently he had seen her seem to revive and even smile and laugh.
Anne got up and sat on the arm of his chair in a manner that would have horrified Susan provided she could see through walls. She pressed her cheek against the top of his head and whispered, "Well, we have each other. It will be like the dear old House of Dreams days. And then we have Susan. She is unlikely to desert us for the holy state of matrimony."
Edited to Add: Based on some comments (thanks Katherine-with-a-K) I realize some of my language was a bit stilted. So I edited it a bit. But there were no substantial changes made.