He will love you more for your candor.
Florry, you turn pale, as though unequal to the task.

Oh, my cousin, you prize his love more than truth; but the time will come when he will prize truth more than your love! Florry, let me beg you tell him all, and at once." She sank back, as if exhausted by her effort in speaking so long, yet firmly retained Florence's hand.
"Mary, if I do this, it is at the risk of losing his esteem, which I prize even more than his love.

And after all, _I_ cannot see that truth or duty requires this humiliating confession.

Should he ever question me, I should scorn to deceive him, and at once should tell him all.

But he does not suspect it, and _I_, being no longer in danger or blinded, need not reveal the past." Mournfully Mary regarded her beautiful cousin.
"Florry, if you conceal nothing now, he will esteem you more than ever for hazarding his love in the cause of truth.