Anne went back to Echo Lodge tingling with delight in her plot . She hunted up Arnold Sherman , and told him what was required of him . Arnold Sherman listened and laughed . He was an elderly widower , an intimate friend of Stephen Irving , and had come down to spend part of the summer with him and his wife in Prince Edward Island . He was handsome in a mature style , and he had a dash of mischief in him still , so that he entered readily enough into Anne 's plan . It amused him to think of hurrying Ludovic Speed , and he knew that Theodora Dix could be depended on to do her part . The comedy would not be dull , whatever its outcome . The curtain rose on the first act after prayer meeting on the next Thursday night . It was bright moonlight when the people came out of church , and everybody saw it plainly . Arnold Sherman stood upon the steps close to the door , and Ludovic Speed leaned up against a corner of the graveyard fence , as he had done for years . The boys said he had worn the paint off that particular place . Ludovic knew of no reason why he should paste himself up against the church door . Theodora would come out as usual , and he would join her as she went past the corner . This was what happened , Theodora came down the steps , her stately figure outlined in its darkness against the gush of lamplight from the porch . Arnold Sherman asked her if he might see her home . Theodora took his arm calmly , and together they swept past the stupefied Ludovic , who stood helplessly gazing after them as if unable to believe his eyes . For a few moments he stood there limply ; then he started down the road after his fickle lady and her new admirer . The boys and irresponsible young men crowded after , expecting some excitement , but they were disappointed . Ludovic strode on until he overtook Theodora and Arnold Sherman , and then fell meekly in behind them . Theodora hardly enjoyed her walk home , although Arnold Sherman laid himself out to be especially entertaining .
Her heart yearned after XXXXX , whose shuffling footsteps she heard behind her .
Anne Dix Island Ludovic Sherman Speed Theodora first night years