In his eyes I was just a girl like others -- a girl to be wooed and won by any man of clean life and honest heart . I met him at a little Sunday-School picnic over at Avonlea , which I attended because of my class . I thought him very handsome and manly . He talked to me a great deal , and at last he drove me home . The next Sunday evening he walked up from church with me . Hester was away , or , of course , this would never have happened . She had gone for a month 's visit to distant friends . In that month I lived a lifetime . Hugh Blair courted me as the other girls in Newbridge were courted . 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 XXXXX me .
about as at for in like of that to upon