He took me out driving and came to see me in the evenings , which we spent for the most part in the garden . I did not like the stately gloom and formality of our old Meredith parlor , and Hugh never seemed to feel at ease there . His broad shoulders and hearty laughter were oddly out of place among our faded , old-maidish furnishings . Mary Sloane was very much pleased at Hugh 's visit . She had always resented the fact that I had never had a `` beau , '' seeming to think it reflected some slight or disparagement upon me . She did all she could to encourage him . But when Hester returned and found out about Hugh she was very angry -- and grieved , which hurt me far more . She told me that I had forgotten myself and that Hugh 's visits must cease . I had never been afraid of Hester before , but I was afraid of her then . I yielded . Perhaps it was very weak of me , but then I was always weak . I think that was why Hugh 's strength had appealed so to me . I needed love and protection . Hester , strong and self-sufficient , had never felt such a need . She could not understand . Oh , how contemptuous she was . I told Hugh timidly that Hester did not approve of our friendship and that it must end . He took it quietly enough , and went away . I thought he did not care much , and the thought selfishly made my own heartache worse . I was very unhappy for a long time , but I tried not to let Hester see it , and I do n't think she did .
She was not very discerning XXXXX some things .
about at evenings for heartache in of that to upon