"What do you think about it? Do you think he was a fool, or a wise man?"

"Well, I asked you for your opinion first. However, I have very little
hesitation in saying, that a man who marries a woman of whom he knows
nothing, is a fool."

"Oh, but he was well acquainted with this woman. It was only her past
that he knew nothing about."

"Well, I think you must admit that a woman's past and a man's past are
very important parts of their lives. Don't you agree with me?"

"I agree with you so seldom that I should hesitate to say I did on this
occasion. But I have told the story very badly. You will have to read it
for yourself to thoroughly appreciate the different situations, and then
we can discuss the matter intelligently."

"You evidently think the man was very noble in refusing to hear anything
about the past of the lady he was interested in."

"I confess I do. He was noble, at least, in refusing to let a third
party tell him. If he wished any information he should have asked the
lady himself."

"Yes, but supposing she refused to answer him?"

"Then, I think he should either have declined to have anything more to
do with her, or, if he kept up his acquaintance, he should have taken
her just as she was, without any reference to her past."