Kingsportian Parks were full of locals enjoying the weekend, as Gilbert walked with calm purpose on a well-sanded path, a few days after Convocation. A spring concert was going on in a corner of a certain park where a beautiful glazebo was. Among the mixed crowd was a familiar figure. Politely Gilbert lifted his hat as Christine waved her gloved hand at him. She was leaning on Andrew's arm.

Fateful French-influenced tunes sparkled in the clear air, conjured by a small orchestra, as Gilbert drifted over to them, but they weren't alone. A slender, dark-haired girl, or rather a woman, sat next to Christine, a narrow green hat shading her face, and the olive green shade, was also prevalent in her elegant, understated simple dress, which was much simpler than anything Christine had ever worn.

Christine said, when the music ceased, the applause shaking like a gentle breeze, the orchestra tuning their instruments, in her sleekly style, "May I introduce you to each other. Claire Gardiner, here's the delightful, Gilbert Blythe."

The woman in the green hat turned, and Gilbert bowed politely, as custom required. Silently to himself he thought that he couldn't get away from members of Gardiner family, they seemed to be in everywere. Claire, however, seemed charming, in a indefinable way. Almond-shaped dark eyes looked intently at Gilbert as she said sonorously, "Mr. Blythe, well met. Christine has sung your praises that one might almost think there was cause for jealousy, or so my cousin Aline has told me, but she has her own ways and means to to categorize useful people, I've never cared about that kind of thing myself. It is too limiting."

At that Christine laughed heartily.

Gilbert glanced at Andrew Dawson, who winked at Gilbert.

The violins played a high note, and a quiet look of pleasure spread over Christine's features. Gilbert looked at his pocket watch, and said regretfully, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gardiner, but now I must unfortunately go on my way."

Christine turned, and said softly, "Tutoring, still?"

Gilbert nodded.

Christine smiled and leaned closer, pressing a soft goodbye kiss to Gilbert's cheek.

Andrew warmly shook Gilbert's hand as he said, "Don't work too hard, old chap! If you ever need anything, you tell me, or dearest here."

Claire Gardiner had been watching this byplay with a thoughtful look in her eyes, and then she said, " Tomorrow there will be an open house at my Uncles's house, and there will be all kinds of people there, it would be a great opportunity to make more connections, if you only have time, come there."

Gilbert noticed that Christine seemed immensely amused, her movements had a feline sweetness, as she replied, with a sparkling smile, "I second that, invitation. We're there too, aren't we my love?"

Andrew, smiled kindly to her as he said in undertone to Gilbert, " Teagowns, tea, sandwiches, and varied conversation, of social ills."

Gilbert found himself replying, in a noncommittal manner, "I can't promise anything, thanks for the invitation."

As he walked towards the last tutoring session, with his boarding house looming Gilbert frankly confessed to himself that the thought of entering any Gardiner's apartment, even for a quarter of an hour, made his skin creep with innate revulsion, but perhaps Anne might be there, in her green afternoon dress, waxing lyrical about appleblossom time. That thought was painful, maybe the engagement would be announced tomorrow. Redmond was slowly becoming quieter, as graduates filtered out from it, as April turned towards May.

Gilbert glanced at the neatly written essays, and stacks of algebra and greek proofs, and said with satisfaction, "Sebastian, you've worked hard. And now I tell you, the same advice my own teacher once told me. Don't open your books anymore. Entrance is soon. I know that you will be successful at it if you just keep your head down and answer the questions as we have practiced."

Sebastian brushed a strand of sandy brown hair from his forehead as he said, "Thank you, Mr. Blythe. Would you like something to drink, perhaps?"

Children's laughter echoed from the side street. The windows were dusty, and there was water in a slightly cracked jug. From the window one could see clotheslines with white sheets and colorful clothes drying.

Gilbert, shook his head, but said, "Sure, take it yourself if you want?"

Sebastian smiled, his pink gums shining, and drank a large glass.

A worn, thin blond woman with watery blue eyes came into the kitchen with cautious steps, and handed a small roll of money to Gilbert, saying, "Take this, Mr. Blythe, you have done so much for my son."

Gilbert shook his head, and said, "No, save it for later. A few extra dollars can always be needed."

At Patty´s Place, there was a strange silence, usually in such busy rooms, the cats only purred in the living room in the rays of the sun, which were reflected on the carpets. Phil knocked cautiously on the door of the blue room, and opened it.

Anne Shirley fumbled in her wardrobe, with slightly trembling hands, and gently, a little teasingly, Phil inquired, "Where's the fire, dearest?"

Anne looked up from the pale green fabric.

Phil noted that her eyes were a little wild, as she said, calmly, "I'm trying to decide what to wear, tomorrow, when I've been invited to Mrs. Gardiner's, for an afternoon occasion. Roy will be there too, of course."

With a critical eye, Phil glanced at Anne's clothes, and finally said, "the afternoon event calls for something light, that green dress you're holding works brilliantly. If you want I can do your hair?"

Anne nodded in relief, and said with a luminous smile, "Thanks, Phil. I'm a little unsure about tomorrow, what if it's some kind of test?"

Phil waved her hand nonchalantly as she replied, sincerely, "I don't think so. Mrs. Gardiner seems to look well upon on you, in her stiff way, you've charmed all the Gardiners, so the word goes around town. And besides, it's only afternoon tea. You'll get through it with honors."

At exactly half past four on Sunday afternoon, Anne knocked on the high doors, and with delighted eyes she looked at the carefully tended rose bushes that bordered the small garden.

The door opened, and the maid, with ruffled apron, said calmly, "Mrs. Gardiner is in the parlor with her company, Miss, I can take your coat."

Running footsteps were heard across the great hall, as Dorothy swept over to Anne and she breathlessly said, "Lovely, you're here! Come and see, in our library."

Royal's sonorous voice said softly to his sister, "Do, don't steal Miss Shirley at once, when she has just arrived here."

Slightly nervous, Anne swallowed, as Mrs. Gardiner's voice was heard, as that formidable woman said commandingly, "Royal, escort Miss Shirley to the salon, tea will be served soon."

It happened as Phil had predicted, a group of middle-aged society ladies in their laces and hats were discussing charity matters, and Anne drank her tea in silence and only answered if she was asked something directly.

Aline and Dorothy sat across from her, and so did Royal.

Roy's gaze was warm as it landed on Anne's clear, refined features.

Everything went quite smoothly until, a resonant voice, apologized from the doorway, "Sorry we're late."

Anne looked up from her cake plate, and found Christine Stuart standing in the doorway, in pale mauve colored narrow, dress.

Anne took a deep breath, as Christine nodded to the group, and almost flew across the room, followed by two figures, the same tall blond man who had caused interest in the girls of Patty's Place, his name apparently was Mr. Dawson, and a dark-haired girl whose features had the Gardiner stamp, Anne noted. Light conversation sparked, and Anne tried her best to focus on it.

The hours passed slowly, the group moved to another salon, it was time for entertainment. Anne noticed that Dorothy seemed bored as the music sparkled, piano piece after piece pulsated through the ruddy decorated room.

Then Christine, stood up. She smiled and remarked, in half-impish way. " Since there are people here who like Walter Scott's Waverley novels, let's take a momentary musical trip to the hills of Lammermuir." Anne got a chill down her spine, as once before she had witnessed Christine´s performance, in one Redmonds small occasions. Christine performed, brilliantly to a small, intimate audience, as pure strains of Donizetti`s Regnava nel silenzio, shimmered in the salon.

Afterwards, when sherry carafe was circling in the salon, Aline Gardiner, glided over to Christine, and they talked something to each other in low voices, near where Anne sat. Anne heard Christine say, "Isn't it beautiful, it's not a ring, but maybe soon, although nothing has been decided yet. It's not in our hands, not yet. He has a strong motivation to succeed, and of course I support him in everything, as it should be."

Aline said, "Mr. Gilbert Blythe, did brilliantly in his studies, didn't he. You must be very proud of him." With a side eye, Anne saw how a small, loving smile appeared on Christine's lips, that in itself was a sign of acquiescence.

Tall blonde Mr. Dawson, with a sincere smile, held out a small candy box in Anne's direction, and said, "Would you like some?"

Anne shook her head, softly.

He said politely, "Too much sweetness, can be quite cloying, I find. Tell me, Miss Shirley, what do you want to do now that you've graduated?"

Anne looked into the blue-gray eyes, of Mr. Dawson, and found herself saying sincerely, "I want to teach, refine minds, there are potentially interesting opportunities opening up for me, or at least I hope so, now that I'm a B.A." A slight irony seemed to glint in Mr. Dawson's eyes as he said humorously, "Capital. Hold your course, don't give in. I like girls who know their own minds."

The Gardiners' library was like heaven on earth, Anne found. It was the only room in that handsome house where she felt comfortable. High shelves with shiny glass doors, full of leather-backed books, in several languages, soft armchairs, and lots of light, sensuously placed potted plants.

On the window seat, Royal found Anne. He took the narrow lily-white hand in his, and said in a soft, intimate tone, "Anne, I would like to go for a walk in a couple of days, with you, if the weather is fine?"

Anne nodded with trembling lips.

That night, the light burned late into the morning in the blue room at Patty's Place. And Phil heard the echo of Anne's restless footsteps, fierce.

Two days later, at glazebo, Royal looked with pained dark eyes at Anne, who repeated her refusal, vehemently. Confused, Roy replied, "So, you've been toying with me, these past few years. You've given me every sign, to believe that you agree. Is this just a whim, Don't you want to give in too quickly?"

Anne, wringing her hands, replied regretfully, "Oh, Roy, I would never do that. I only realized when I heard of your proposal that I could never be engaged to you. It is quite impossible. We come from too different circles. Your circles would smother me before long, and I would be unhappy, I know it. If you ever liked me, or even loved me, grant me my freedom."

Royal turned suddenly and with a shadowy face he said lowly, "I will never forget you, Anne. You have been one of the bright spots in my life. Goodbye, now!" A little dramatically, coat fluttering, Royal left, striding into the darkening park.

Anne stood alone for a long time in the cool glazebo, and wondered if all the illusions and dreams of her life would slowly crumble, bit by bit. A spring rainstorm shook the grass, as Anne walked towards Patty's Place in the rain.

With trembling hands, Revered Lawson laid the sheet over the face of yet another dead youth. This room was modest, and on the wall hung a calendar with a black star drawn for today. Frowning Reverend Lawson did ponder what meaning it might have. There were so many dead, virulent typhus raged again, and so far it had not been possible to trace its source, in poorer sections of Kingsport.