Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/341

 speak wisely or no. Le Vive had no patience, and could hardly be civil to her; but perfectly stormed at her, and left the room in a violent passion. But the vain man was all joy and rapture; for, on some particular civilities she showed him, he concluded he was the happy man; and, indeed, whether the sympathy there was in their minds (for both their pleasures lay in gratifying their vanity) influenced her, or whether his having a great fortune swayed her, I cannot tell, but she certainly did give him the preference before all her other lovers. "After this meeting of them all together, as she found it impossible any longer to keep them all as danglers, she began to think seriously of marrying the vain man. She considered that if she led this life much longer, she should get the reputation of a finished coquette, and consequently lose all her power; whereas, by marrying, she might have the liberty of conversing with all her husband's acquaintance without being much censured. Besides, she knew enough of his temper not to be ignorant that he would bring her home all the admirers he could, in order to indulge himself in the thoughts that he had gained the woman so much liked by others. She was very sure she could not be particularly fond of him, nor of any other man; and always laid it down as a maxim that it was too much love on the women's side that was generally the cause of their losing their husbands' affections. In short, these and several other considerations induced her at last to give her hand to the vain man. "They were married three months before I came from Paris, and were generally esteemed a very fond couple. She coquets it just enough to show him that, if be does not take care of his behaviour, he is in danger of losing her; and he indulges her in everything she can wish, and still keeps up the lover, for fear of the disgrace of her liking anybody else.