CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

First Weeks of the Marriage

February 18th, 1822—I am married now, and living as Mrs Huntingdon of Grassdale Manor. I have been married now for eight weeks. Do I regret having been married? No—though I am a bit surprised at some of Arthur's behaviours. My duty now, however, is to love him and keep him from being careless and wild.

He is very fond of me—almost too fond. I wish that he would be more serious. I would prefer to be his friend rather than his pet. He can be quite selfish, but since I love him, I can forgive him for loving himself so much. He certainly likes to be pleased, and I am delighted to please him.

I was quite shocked by something he said to me the other day. We were walking home from church one Sunday morning when he turned to me, looking quite serious.

"Helen," he said, "I am not quite satisfied with you. You are too religious. You don't love me enough. Now, I am glad that you are religious, but you must love me more than your religion; I am your husband."

"You are not a god, and I will not love you more if that means loving God less. Arthur, you do not love me as much as I love you. And, if you loved me less, but loved God more, I would be delighted," I said, looking quite upset.

He then laughed and kissed my hand. We returned to the house and I went to my room, no longer wishing to speak to him about such matters.

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