It was inconceivable, but Margaret Edes had actually in view the banality of confessing her sin to her minister.

Of course, Annie was the one who divined her purpose.

Von Rosen was simply bewildered.

He rose, and stood with an air of polite attention.
"Margaret," cried Annie, "Margaret!" The man thought that his sweetheart was simply embarrassed, because of discovery.

He did not understand why she bade him peremptorily to please go in the house and see if Aunt Harriet were awake, that she wished to speak to Mrs.Edes.He, however, went as bidden, already discovering that man is as a child to a woman when she is really in earnest.
When he was quite out of hearing, Annie turned upon her friend.
"Margaret," she said, "Margaret, you must not." Margaret turned her desperate eyes upon Annie.