She kissed him goodbye , and Gilbert , honest fellow , was quite satisfied . When an Exeter girl had allowed so much to be inferred , it was understood to be equivalent to an engagement . Gilbert had never discerned that Anna was not like the other Exeter girls , but was a law unto herself . Alma sat down by her window and looked out over the lane where the slim wild cherry trees were bronzing under the autumn frosts . Her lips were very firmly set . Something must be done . But what ? Alma 's heart was set on this marriage for two reasons . Firstly , if Anna married Gilbert she would be near her all her life . She could not bear the thought that some day Anna might leave her and go far away to live . In the second and largest place , she desired the marriage because Gilbert did . She had always been desirous , even in the old , childish play-days , that Gilbert should get just exactly what he wanted . She had always taken a keen , strange delight in furthering his wishes . Anna 's falseness would surely break his heart , and Alma winced at the thought of his pain . There was one thing she could do . Anna 's tormenting suggestion had fallen on fertile soil . Alma balanced pros and cons , admitting the risk . But she would have taken a tenfold larger risk in the hope of holding secure Anna 's place in Gilbert 's affections until Anna herself should come to her senses . When it grew quite dark and Anna had gone lilting down the lane on her way to prayer meeting , Alma lighted her lamp , read Gilbert 's letter -- and answered it . Her handwriting was much like Anna 's .
She signed the letter `` A. Williams , '' and there was nothing in it that might not have been written by her to Gilbert ; but she knew that Gilbert would believe XXXXX had written it , and she intended him so to believe .
Alma Anna Exeter Gilbert cons engagement falseness heart play-days second