Perhaps , as it was , it was foolish ; but it seemed to me that I must have something , if only foolish dreams , to fill my life . At first there was only pain in the thought of him , but afterwards a faint , misty little pleasure crept in , like a mirage from a land of lost delight . Ten years slipped away thus . And then Hester died . Her illness was sudden and short ; but , before she died , she asked me to promise that I would never marry Hugh Blair . She had not mentioned his name for years . I thought she had forgotten all about him . `` Oh , dear sister , is there any need of such a promise ? '' I asked , weeping . `` Hugh Blair does not want to marry me now . He never will again . '' `` He has never married -- he has not forgotten you , '' she said fiercely . `` I could not rest in my grave if I thought you would disgrace your family by marrying beneath you . Promise me , Margaret . '' I promised . I would have promised anything in my power to make her dying pillow easier . Besides , what did it matter ? I was sure that Hugh would never think of me again . She smiled when she heard me , and pressed my hand . `` Good little sister -- that is right .
You were always a good girl , XXXXX -- good and obedient , though a little sentimental and foolish in some ways .
Blair Hester Hugh Margaret first grave mirage right sister years