"I don't want to fare better, that is, I don't want to have more of God's care than he had."
"I don't understand you. I should think if we were sure God took as good care of us as of him—"
But there he stopped, for he began to have a glimmer of where she was leading him.
"Did he keep him what you call safe?" said Hester. "Did he not allow the worst man could do to overtake him? Was it not the very consequence of his obedience?"
"Then you have made up your mind to die of the small-pox?—In that case——"
"Only if it be God's will," interrupted Hester.
"To that, and that alone, have I made up my mind. If I die of the small-pox, it will not be because it could not be helped, or because I caught it by chance; it will be because God allowed it as best for me and for us all. It will not be a punishment for breaking his laws: he loves none better, I believe, than those who break the laws of nature to fulfil the laws of the spirit—which is the deeper nature, 'the nature naturing nature,' as I read the other day: of course it sounds nonsense to anyone who does not understand it."
"That's your humble servant," said the major. "I haven't a notion what you or the author you quote means, though I don't doubt both of you mean well, and that you are a most courageous and indeed heroic young woman. For all that it is time your friends interfered; and I am going to write by the next post to let your father know how you are misbehaving yourself."
"They will not believe me quite so bad as I fear you will represent me."
"I don't know. I must write anyhow."