But James Trent merely nodded and called out , `` Howdy , Miss Margaret . Taking a moonlight stroll by yourself ? Lovely night , ai n't it ? '' Just then his horse suddenly swerved , as if startled , and broke into a gallop . They whirled around the curve of the road in an instant . I felt relieved , but puzzled . JAMES TRENT HAD NOT SEEN HESTER . Down over the hill was Hugh Blair 's place . When we came to it , Hester turned in at the gate . Then , for the first time , I understood why she had come back , and a blinding flash of joy broke over my soul . I stopped and looked at her . Her deep eyes gazed into mine , but she did not speak . We went on . Hugh 's house lay before us in the moonlight , grown over by a tangle of vines . 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 XXXXX which , in after days , I was to know that this strange thing was no dream or fancy of mine .
around before by for in like of on over to