`` They are the flowers of love and faith . '' Diana was standing nervously in the middle of the room , arrayed in her bridal white , her black curls frosted over with the film of her wedding veil . Anne had draped that veil , in accordance with the sentimental compact of years before . `` It 's all pretty much as I used to imagine it long ago , when I wept over your inevitable marriage and our consequent parting , '' she laughed . `` You are the bride of my dreams , Diana , with the ` lovely misty veil ' ; and I am YOUR bridesmaid . But , alas ! I have n't the puffed sleeves -- though these short lace ones are even prettier . Neither is my heart wholly breaking nor do I exactly hate Fred . '' `` We are not really parting , Anne , '' protested Diana . `` I 'm not going far away . We 'll love each other just as much as ever . We 've always kept that ` oath ' of friendship we swore long ago , have n't we ? '' `` Yes . We 've kept it faithfully . We 've had a beautiful friendship , Diana . We 've never marred it by one quarrel or coolness or unkind word ; and I hope it will always be so . But things ca n't be quite the same after this . You 'll have other interests . I 'll just be on the outside . But ` such is life ' as Mrs. Rachel says .
Mrs. Rachel has given you one of her beloved knitted quilts XXXXX the ` tobacco stripe ' pattern , and she says when I am married she 'll give me one , too . ''
after by in of on over that though to with