In nothing does a woman so clearly exhibit the inherent femininity of her
nature as in the delight with which, at the bottom of her heart, she
recalls moments when she has been swept off her feet. She may sigh over
them; but

Generally, a woman's sighs are by no means those of remorse.
A woman never brings pure reason to bear upon her actions; she acts by
sentiment 40 and she judges her acts by sentiment. This is why

Even when a woman has deceived and betrayed, she does not regard herself
culpable. Always, she says to herself, she was driven to it, and
therefore she is blameless. Accordingly

A penitent woman is rare:

Even when a man, with his so-called superior reason, thinks he has proved
her wrong, at the bottom of her heart she knows herself right.

* * *

Many have been the discussions as to woman's most powerful weapon. The
simple fact is, she is armed cap a pie(2). Indeed,
Every woman is a sort of feminine Proteus, not only in the myriad shapes
she assumes, but also in her amenability to nothing but superior force.
Women form, perhaps, where men are concerned, the single exception to the
rule that in union there is strength. One woman often enough is
irrepressible; two (be the second her own mother) break the charm an
association of women is the feeblest of forces.