‘I have flattered my pride with such a thought, but, after all, have they not right on their side? They at least have a definite belief; they at least are satisfied to worship in a ruin, and all they need is an automaton to lead their prayers. When they have stripped me bare, and driven me from the church——’
‘O Ambrose, will they do that?’
‘Certainly. It must come, sooner or later; perhaps the sooner the better. I am tired of my own hypocrisy—of frightening the poor fools with half-truths when the whole of the truth of unbelief is in my heart.’
‘But you do believe,’ she pleaded; ‘in God, and in our Saviour!’
‘Not in the letter, dearest. In the spirit, certainly!’
‘The spirit is everything. Can you not defend yourself?’
‘I shall not try. To attempt to do so would be another hypocrisy. I shall resign.’
‘And then? You will go away?’
‘Yes.’
‘But you will take me with you?’