‘I meant it.’

‘But you have changed your mind?’

’Is there anything in it that seems to you to be unreasonable?  Speak out and tell me.’

‘I am thinking of you, not of myself.’

’Think of me, then.  Is there anything said there which the usage to which I have been subjected does not justify?’

’You ask me questions which I cannot answer.  I do not think that under any provocation a woman should use a horsewhip.’

’It is certainly more comfortable for gentlemen,—­who amuse themselves,—­that women should have that opinion.  But, upon my word, I don’t know what to say about that.  As long as there are men to fight for women, it may be well to leave the fighting to...