MissCorneliasighed。GilberthadgonedownandLeslie，whohadbeencrooningoverthesmallJamesMatthewinthedormerwindow，laidhimasleepinhisbasketandwentherway。Assoonasshewassafelyoutofearshot，MissCorneliabentforwardandsaidinaconspirator’swhisper:
\"Anne，dearie，I’daletterfromOwenFordyesterday。
He’sinVancouverjustnow，buthewantstoknowifI
canboardhimforamonthlateron。YOUknowwhatthatmeans。Well，Ihopewe’redoingright。\"
\"We’venothingtodowithit——wecouldn’tpreventhimfromcomingtoFourWindsifhewantedto，\"saidAnnequickly。Shedidnotlikethefeelingofmatch-makingMissCornelia’swhispersgaveher；andthensheweaklysuccumbedherself。