Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 3).pdf/152

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kindness and purity at least, if you can't have—what do they call it—dogma.'

'O no! I'm a different sort of fellow from that! If there's nobody to say, "Do this, and it will be a good thing for you after you are dead; do that, and it will be a bad thing for you," I can't warm up. Hang it, I am not going to feel responsible for my deeds and passions if there's nobody to be responsible to; and if I were you, my dear, I wouldn't either!'

She tried to argue, and tell him that he had mixed in his dull brain two matters, theology and morals, which in the primitive days of mankind had been quite distinct. But owing to Angel Clare's reticence, to her absolute want of training, and to her being a vessel of emotions. rather than reasons, she could not get on.

'Well, never mind,' he resumed. 'Here I am, my love, as in the old times!'

'Not as then—never as then—it is different!' she entreated. 'And there was never warmth with me. O why didn't you retain your faith, if the loss of it have brought 'ee to speak to me like this!'

'Because you've knocked it out of me; so the