(2) Cf. Cowper:

They are all women, and they dart
Like Porcupines, from every part.
-Anacreontics

* * *

All women are rivals. And this they never forget. Consequently

Mistrust a truce between hostile ladies.

* * *

Amongst women, modesty is of infinitely more potent influence than is
ability. Yet

To a woman's modesty ability is a wonderfully enhancing setting. And

Modesty is the most complex and the most varied of emotions. Perhaps

When modesty and frailty go hand in hand, there is no more delectable
combination known to men; and Aphrodite has not the subtle charm of a
Cynthia. Perhaps this is why such

A wondrous halo of romance hangs about the name of a Heloise, of a
Marguerite, of a Marianna Alcoforado; of a Concetta of Afragola; of a
Catalina; of Robert le Diable's Helena, of Isolde; of Lucia of Bologna,
the enchantress of Ottaviano; of Francesca; of Guenevere; of the sweet
seventeen-year old novice of Andouillets, Margarita, the fille who was