least, hardly ever comes in thunder, but I have to listen with perfect
stillness to make it out. It spoke to me, told me what to do, but I
argued with it and was lost. I was guiltless of any base motive, but I
found the wrong name for what displeased me in Mr. Hexton, and so I
deluded myself. I reasoned that his meanness was justifiable economy,
and that his dissimilarity from me was perhaps the very thing which
ought to induce me to marry him, because he would correct my failings.
I knew I was too inconsiderate, too rash, too flighty, and I said to
myself that his soberness would be a good thing for me.

"Oh, if I had but the power to write a book which should go to the ends
of the world, and warn young men and women not to be led away by any
sophistry when choosing their partners for life! It may be asked, How
are we to distinguish heavenly instigation from hellish temptation? I
say, that neither you nor I, sitting here, can tell how to do it. We
can lay down no law by which infallibly to recognise the messenger from
God. But what I do say is, that when the moment comes, it is perfectly
easy for us to recognise him. Whether we listen to his message or not
is another matter. If we do not--if we stop to dispute with him, we
are undone, for we shall very soon learn to discredit him.

"So I was married, and I went to live in a dark manufacturing town,
away from all my friends. I awoke to my misery by degrees, but still
rapidly. I had my books sent down to me. I unpacked them in Mr.
Hexton's presence, and I kindled at the thought of ranging my old
favourites in my sitting-room. He saw my delight as I put them on some
empty shelves, but the next day he said that he wanted a stuffed dog
there, and that he thought my books, especially as they were shabby,
had better go upstairs.