“You can be, if you will,” said Ernest solemnly, as he looked pityingly at the sad woman.
“How can I? I should like to know.”
“There is a happiness,” answered Ernest, “far superior to any this world affords.”
“Where is it?” she cried.
“In Christ Jesus.”
“Yes, I expected you to say that, or something like it. But how could I be a Christian, miserable and wretched as I am?”
“The Lord never turns away any who come to Him,” replied Ernest.
“But I’m not ready for that yet,” she said with candor. “I want to enjoy the world for a while. I think I deserve it. If I had not married, I might have been happy, but it is impossible now, with such a husband as mine.”
At this moment, Comston came from town, and staggered into the room. Clara blushed with shame and vexation, but recovering herself, looked at him without uttering a word.