Take it as he might--as coming from Mrs.O'Hara or from the priest,--he found the letter to be a great burden to him.

He had not as yet answered the one received from Kate, as to the genuineness of which he had entertained no doubt.

How should he answer such letters?
Some answer must of course be sent, and must be the forerunner of his future conduct.

But how should he write his letter when he had not as yet resolved what his conduct should be?
He did attempt to write a letter, not to either of the ladies, but to the priest, explaining that in the ordinary sense of the word he could not and would not marry Miss O'Hara, but that in any way short of that legitimate and usual mode of marriage, he would bind himself to her, and that when so bound he would be true to her for life.

He would make any settlement that he, Father Marty, might think right either upon the mother or upon the daughter.