Everybody tried to answer, but nothing was said worthy of record. Hedvig at last said,—
“My opinion is that since God knows all, He knows of His own existence, but you must not ask me how He knows it.”
“That’s well said,” I answered; and nobody could throw any further light on the matter.
All the company looked on me as a polite Atheist, so superficial is the judgment of society, but it did not matter to me whether they thought me an Atheist or not.
M. de Ximenes asked Hedvig if matter had been created.
“I cannot recognize the word ‘created,’” she replied. “Ask me whether matter was formed, and I shall reply in the affirmative. The word ‘created’ cannot have existence, for the existence of anything must be prior to the word which explains it.”
“Then what meaning do you assign to the word ‘created’?”
“Made out of nothing. You see the absurdity, for nothing must have first existed. I am glad to see you laugh. Do you think that nothingness could be created?”
“You are right.”
“Not at all, not at all,” said one of the guests, superciliously.