"Nobody can see us in here." And he patted her on the shoulder with middle-aged affection.
Mrs.De Peyster, after her first outburst, realized that she dared not cry out, or rebuff William.

To do so would reveal her identity.

And horrified as she was, she realized that there must have long existed between William and Matilda a carefully concealed affair of the heart.
"It's all right, dear," William again reassured her, with his staid ardor.

"It's mighty good to be with you like this, Matilda!" He heaved a love-laden sigh.

"We've had it mighty hard, haven't we, with only being able to steal a minute with each other now and then--always afraid of Mrs.De Peyster.