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 account of its weakness, the gallant attention of all mankind. Of course she is a monster, but she is hardly an exception; there are indeed many just as bad; for as a general rule women are really more stupid and plainer than men. It must be clear to any one who will open his eyes and ears. If you only knew how ashamed a woman who thinks differently feels when men at dinner-parties propose their high-falutin toasts to a lot of fat, tight-laced females or well-padded broomsticks, who without the faintest blush swallow all the nonsense and seem to enjoy it. Yes, even the most charming women become intolerable when they are possessed by this demon of conceit. As soon as a woman, young or old, pretty or plain, begins to reflect upon the wonderfulness of being a woman she ought to be whipped.'

When Marie, flushed and eager, had finished this lecture, I asked her: 'And are you not just the very least bit conceited, Marie.

'Yes,' she answered, and came closer to me. 'I am conceited because you love me.'

So wisely would Marie think and speak. Who will dare call her wanton after this.

ET there were some points on which even my wise Marie was foolish. On these I had to enlighten her. Recognising that I completely lacked the power of falling seriously in love, we always believed that our relationship would last but a short time, and it happened