`` Oh , no . I would n't want to marry anybody who was wicked , but I think I 'd like it if he COULD be wicked and WOULD N'T . Now , Fred is HOPELESSLY good . '' `` You 'll have more sense some day , I hope , '' said Marilla . Marilla spoke rather bitterly . She was grievously disappointed . She knew Anne had refused Gilbert Blythe . Avonlea gossip buzzed over the fact , which had leaked out , nobody knew how . Perhaps Charlie Sloane had guessed and told his guesses for truth . Perhaps Diana had betrayed it to Fred and Fred had been indiscreet . At all events it was known ; Mrs. Blythe no longer asked Anne , in public or private , if she had heard lately from Gilbert , but passed her by with a frosty bow . Anne , who had always liked Gilbert 's merry , young-hearted mother , was grieved in secret over this . Marilla said nothing ; but Mrs. Lynde gave Anne many exasperated digs about it , until fresh gossip reached that worthy lady , through the medium of Moody Spurgeon MacPherson 's mother , that Anne had another `` beau '' at college , who was rich and handsome and good all in one . After that Mrs. Rachel held her tongue , though she still wished in her inmost heart that Anne had accepted Gilbert . Riches were all very well ; but even Mrs. Rachel , practical soul though she was , did not consider them the one essential . If Anne `` liked '' the Handsome Unknown better than Gilbert there was nothing more to be said ; but Mrs. Rachel was dreadfully afraid that Anne was going to make the mistake of marrying for money . Marilla knew Anne too well to fear this ; but she felt that something in the universal scheme of things had gone sadly awry . `` What is to be , will be , '' said Mrs. Rachel gloomily , `` and what is n't to be happens sometimes . I ca n't help believing it 's going to happen in Anne 's case , if Providence does n't interfere , that 's what . '' Mrs. Rachel sighed .
She was afraid XXXXX would n't interfere ; and she did n't dare to .
Anne Avonlea Blythe Fred Gilbert MacPherson Marilla Providence Rachel day