Privately, I hoped it might remain so, for what happiness could there be for Mary, if John were not acquitted? 
I hoped John were to be acquitted so he could go back to Mary and their kids.
mnli hypothesis: I hoped John were to be acquitted so he could go back to Mary and their kids. premise: Privately, I hoped it might remain so, for what happiness could there be for Mary, if John were not acquitted? 