A fortnight later her answer came . She said frankly that she believed she had learned to care for me during our correspondence , but that she thought we should meet in person , before coming to any definite understanding . Could I not arrange to visit Croyden in the summer ? Until then we would better continue on our present footing . I agreed to this , but I considered myself practically engaged , with the personal meeting merely to be regarded as a sop to the Cerberus of conventionality . I permitted myself to use a decidedly lover-like tone in my letters henceforth , and I hailed it as a favourable omen that I was not rebuked for this , although Marian 's own letters still retained their pleasant , simple friendliness . Peter had at first tormented me mercilessly about the affair , but when he saw I did not like his chaff he stopped it . Peter was always a good fellow . He realized that I regarded the matter seriously , and he saw me off when I left for the east with a grin tempered by honest sympathy and understanding . `` Good luck to you , '' he said . `` If you win Marian Lindsay you 'll win a pearl among women . I have n't been able to grasp her taking to you in this fashion , though . It 's so unlike Marian . But , since she undoubtedly has , you are a lucky man . '' I arrived in Croyden at dusk and went to Uncle Tom 's . There I found them busy with preparations for a party to be given that night in honour of a girl friend who was visiting my cousin Edna . I was secretly annoyed , for I wanted to hasten at once to Marian . But I could n't decently get away , and on second thoughts I was consoled by the reflection that she would probably come to the party . I knew she belonged to the same social set as Uncle Tom 's girls . I should , however , have preferred our meeting to have been under different circumstances .
From my stand behind the palms in a corner I eagerly scanned the guests XXXXX they arrived .
Until among as by for in of on to under