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110 special characteristic: especially either primitive natures, or such as have been depraved by civilization; or types of spirituality or of sensuality; women either of very well-balanced minds, or nervous even to hysteria; or, again, those in whom warmth of heart or a distinguished bearing prevails. And that is why the monogamic instinct is now dying out completely: in a few years' time, it will be no more."

Wiazewski was on the war-path, the topic being a favourite one of his.

"For how can a man be true to his wife, if he takes her 'for better, for worse,… till death do them part,' only, let us say, to kiss a mole that she has on her neck, just under her left ear? Monogamy requires exceedingly strong, rich, abundant natures."

"Then it would follow that our near future would witness our return to the hetairism of primaeval times?"

"No doubt; for both the primitive instincts of the senses, and their ultra-refined activity, have identically the same result."

A handsome woman, with strikingly original features, accompanied by an elderly man, clean-shaven (an actor probably) went by