His garden was on our right , a quaint spot , full of old-fashioned flowers growing in a sort of disorderly sweetness . I trod on a bed of mint , and the spice of it floated up to me like the incense of some strange , sacred , solemn ceremonial . I felt unspeakably happy and blessed . When we came to the door Hester said , `` Knock , Margaret . '' I rapped gently . In a moment , Hugh opened it . Then that happened by which , in after days , I was to know that this strange thing was no dream or fancy of mine . Hugh looked not at me , but past me . `` Hester ! '' he exclaimed , with human fear and horror in his voice . He leaned against the door-post , the big , strong fellow , trembling from head to foot . `` I have learned , '' said Hester , `` that nothing matters in all God 's universe , except love . There is no pride where I have been , and no false ideals . '' Hugh and I looked into each other 's eyes , wondering , and then we knew that we were alone . VIII . THE LITTLE BROWN BOOK OF MISS EMILY The first summer Mr. Irving and Miss Lavendar -- Diana and I could never call her anything else , even after she was married -- were at Echo Lodge after their marriage , both Diana and I spent a great deal of time with them . We became acquainted with many of the Grafton people whom we had not known before , and among others , the family of Mr. Mack Leith . We often went up to the Leiths in the evening to play croquet . Millie and Margaret Leith were very nice girls , and the boys were nice , too . Indeed , we liked every one in the family , except poor old Miss Emily Leith .
We tried hard enough XXXXX like her , because she seemed to like Diana and me very much , and always wanted to sit with us and talk to us , when we would much rather have been somewhere else .
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