“Because I long for you to give me the same worshipping love which I lavish upon you, dear wife.”
Victoria shook her head. “That would be impossible, Andrew. Even Roger, though he loved me, did not give me the tender devotion which at all times you have done. I hardly think any woman of my acquaintance can say truthfully that in seven years of married life, they have never received a word of blame or censure from their husbands. I am proud that I can say it. Few women are blessed with such devotion as falls to my lot. No woman lives who could return it in like manner.”
Andrew clasped her closer. “You love me better than you did at first, Victoria?”
“Why should I not? To others you are cold and unapproachable. To me and Mary you are all tenderness and love. God bless you.”
Andrew shivered as if a cold wind had penetrated his being, and put his hand before his eyes. “Don’t, Victoria!” he said, in an unsteady tone. “Ask God to curse me. If there be a God, He surely will.”
“Andrew, husband, I beg of you to cease that scoffing tone which seems to be growing upon you. Say there is a God. Not ‘if there be a God.’ You know there is, or why are we permitted to live? Do not let Mary grow up with the knowledge of having an infidel father. For her sake, if not for mine, be like other people. Accompany us to church next Sabbath. You have never entered one since our marriage.”
“We will not argue this point, Victoria,” said Andrew, gently, but firmly. “I shall never enter any church while I am in this frame of mind. I am hypocrite enough without adding to my sin, God knows, if there is such a being.”
“What sin, Andrew! Why do you speak so wildly?”
Andrew tried to laugh. “Are we not all sinners, Victoria, in the sight of that God in whom you believe?”
“Ah, yes,” sighed Victoria. “We are, indeed, miserable sinners; but you frightened me when you spoke so wildly, and you give rise to very unpleasant comments by your morbid, unfriendly ways. Can I not coax you to think better of your hasty decision, and so attend this barbecue with me?”