"I am the only child she has--here, I mean. My father is not sufficiently alarmed, I fear: and, therefore, if there is any serious apprehension, it must be broken to him gently. I can do this. I can nurse my mother. Pray, speak, sir; to see your face, and not be able to read it, gives me a worse dread than I trust any words of yours will justify."
"My dear young lady, your mother seems to have a most attentive and efficient servant, who is more like her friend----"
"I am her daughter, sir."
"But when I tell you she expressly desired that you might not be told----"
"I am not good or patient enough to submit to the prohibition. Besides, I am sure, you are too wise--too experienced to have promised to keep the secret."

 'I am the only child she has here. My father is not alarmed, and if there is any serious cause for fear, it must be broken to him gently. I can do this. I can nurse my mother. Pray speak, sir.'
'My dear young lady, your mother expressly desired that you might not be told.'
'I am sure you are too wise - too experienced to have promised to keep the secret.'
