When one loves passionately, and the other languidly accepts, it is well
perhaps for that other sometimes to be a little "unfaithful to the truth"
(1) and to simulate an unfelt ardor. But, always this is of questionable
value, for
Love abhors simulation of anything even of ardor.
(1) Tennyson, "Love and Duty".
* * *
If mutual confidence is not established at the moment of betrothal, it
will never afterwards be established. And
Woeful will be the plight of those between whom mutual confidence is not
then established. For
Mutual confidence is the only atmosphere in which love can breathe.
* * *
An engaged man, like a hungry man, is an irascible man. And
How often a fiancée is sore put to it, not only to satisfy him, but to
pacify him!
* * *
A woman will often blandly ask why the two rivals to her hand should not
be friends! Yet it is significant of much that she does her utmost to
keep them apart! Indeed,
In no instance are a woman's tact and finesse so exercised as in playing
off one man against another.--And yet usually she delights in the task;
for
Being-made-love-to is to women what killing--whether of men or of
animals--is to men. In a word,
To be sought after is to woman what war or the chase is to man.
* * *
The woman a woman accepts a man, then and there he becomes her lord and
master. And this she unconsciously knows--nay, expects. If the man
does not then and there exercise his lordship and show his mastery, he
will find it difficult to do it later on. But of course
No woman will ever be got to admit that her newly-won man is her master.
Nevertheless it is counsel that every man should lay to heart, for
Unless a woman is dominated (N.E. not dominated over), she tries to get
the upper hand. And
Only two instances there are in which the woman should retain the upper
hand: when the man is either a philosopher or a fool;
When a man is both (and the combination is not uncommon), she would be a
fool if she did not retain the upper hand! But
Little does a woman esteem him to does not sway--nay, who does not
sacrifice, it may be: her to his will.
* * *
Of that engaged pair who can confidingly speak the one t the other of the
dawn of their mutual attraction, little need be feared; if they cannot,
very much may be feared. For