"Yes, papa, it had better be fixed soon and decidedly, as you say. Only mamma to know nothing about it! It is that that is the great perplexity."
"Poor Maria!" replied Mr. Hale tenderly. "Poor, poor Maria! Oh, if I were not married--if I were but myself in the world, how easy it would be! As it is--Margaret, I dare not tell her!"

'Yes, papa, it had better be fixed soon. Only mamma knows nothing about it! That is the great perplexity.'
'Poor Maria!' replied Mr. Hale. 'I dare not tell her!'
