I do n't know whether Theodora Dix saw him or not . She looked as cool and unconcerned as you please . '' Theodora had not seen Ludovic , but if she looked cool and unconcerned , her appearance belied her , for she felt miserably flustered . She could not prevent Arnold Sherman coming to church with her , but it seemed to her like going too far . People did not go to church and sit together in Grafton unless they were the next thing to being engaged . What if this filled Ludovic with the narcotic of despair instead of wakening him up ! She sat through the service in misery and heard not one word of the sermon . But Ludovic 's spectacular performances were not yet over . The Speeds might be hard to get started , but once they were started their momentum was irresistible . When Theodora and Mr. Sherman came out , Ludovic was waiting on the steps . He stood up straight and stern , with his head thrown back and his shoulders squared . There was open defiance in the look he cast on his rival , and masterfulness in the mere touch of the hand he laid on Theodora 's arm . `` May I see you home , Miss Dix ? '' his words said . His tone said , `` I am going to see you home whether or no . '' Theodora , with a deprecating look at Arnold Sherman , took his arm , and Ludovic marched her across the green amid a silence which the very horses tied to the storm fence seemed to share . For Ludovic 't was a crowded hour of glorious life . Anne walked all the way over from Avonlea the next day to hear the news . Theodora smiled consciously . `` Yes , it is really settled at last , Anne .
Coming home last night Ludovic asked me plump and plain to marry him , -- Sunday and all XXXXX it was .
For across amid as at if in on over with