When I think of a merry, happy, free young girl - and look at the ailing, aching state a young wife generally is doomed to - which you can't deny is the penalty of marriage.

Summary

This quote suggests that the speaker views young girls as carefree and joyful, contrasting them with young wives who often suffer from physical and emotional burdens associated with marriage. The speaker implies that marriage has negative consequences for women, referring to it as a "penalty." There is a clear distinction between the freedom of unmarried girls and the restrictions imposed by the institution of marriage, highlighting the perceived sacrifice and hardship that accompanies it.

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