What can a poor woman do, continued I, when opposed? She can only be a
little violent in words, and, when she has said as much as she chooses to
say, be perhaps a little sullen. For my part, were I so happy as to call
a woman mine, and she happened to be in the wrong, I would endeavour to
be in the right, and trust to her good sense to recover her temper:
arguments only beget arguments.--Those reconciliations are the most
durable, in which the lady makes the advances.
What doctrine is this, Sir Charles! You are not the man I took you for.
--I believe, in my conscience, that you are not near so good a man, as
the world reports you.
What, madam, because I pretend to know a little of the sex? Surely, Lady
Beauchamp, a man of common penetration may see to the bottom of a woman's
heart. A cunning woman cannot hide it. A good woman will not. You are
not, madam, such mysteries, as some of us think you. Whenever you know
your own minds, we need not be long doubtful: that is all the difficulty:
and I will vindicate you, as to that--
As how, pray, sir?
Women, madam, were designed to be dependent, as well as gentle,
creatures; and, of consequence when left to their own wills, they know
not what to resolve upon.
I was hoping, Sir Charles, just now, that you would stay to dinner: but
if you talk at this rate, I believe I shall be ready to wish you out of
the house.
Sir Harry looked as if he were half-willing to be diverted at what passed
between his lady and me. It was better for me to say what he could not
but subscribe to by his feeling, than for him to say it. Though reproof
seldom amends a determined spirit, such a one as this lady's; yet a man
who suffers by it cannot but have some joy when he hears his sentiments
spoken by a bystander. This freedom of mine seemed to save the married
pair a good deal of recrimination.
You remind me, madam, that I must be gone, rising and looking at my
watch.
You must not leave us, Sir Charles, said Sir Harry.
I beg excuse, Sir Harry--Yours, also, madam, smiling--Lady Beauchamp must
not twice wish me out of the house.
I will not excuse you, sir, replied she--If you have a desire to see the
matter completed--She stopt--You must stay to dinner, be that as it will.
'Be that as it will,' madam!--You shall not recede.