But I may not tarry, nor delay to tell my errand.
Mary, thou knowest my love; wilt thou be my wife ?" Mary hesitated.
"I ask thee again, if thou wilt share the fortunes of one who hath loved thee ever since thou wast but a child, playing under the cottage trees in old Haverhill, and who hath sacrificed his worldly estate, and perilled his soul's salvation for thy sake.

Mary, dear Mary, for of a truth thou art very dear to me; wilt thou go with me and be my wife ?" The tones of Richard Martin, usually harsh and forbidding, now fell soft and musical on the ear of Mary.

He was her first love, her only one.
What marvel that she consented?
"Let us hasten to depart," said Martin, "this is no place for me.

We will go to the Providence plantations.

Passaconaway will assist us in our journey." The bright flush of hope and joy faded from the face of the young girl.
She started back from the embrace of her lover.
"What mean you, Richard?
What was 't you said about our going to that sink of wickedness at Providence?
Why don't you go back with me to sister Ward's ?" "Mary Edmands!" said Martin, in a tone of solemn sternness, "it is fitting that I should tell thee all.