Help to Understand Phrase.

"Poor Mr. and Miss Woodhouse, if you please; but I cannot possibly say 'poor Miss Taylor.' I have a great regard for you and Emma; but when it comes to the question of dependence or independence!—At any rate, it must be better to have only one to please, than two."

Q- What is the Meaning of 'At any rate, it must be better to have only one to please, than two' ?

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