She is so much mistress of herself, and the little things which are at first exacted, appear to her to be so much within her power of refusal, that she expects to possess the same strength when something of a graver character is proposed to her.  It is just this way:  she flatters herself that her power of resistance will increase in the same proportion with the importance of the favors she will be called upon to grant.  She relies so entirely upon her virtue, that she challenges danger by courting it.  She experiments with her power of resistance; she wishes to see how far the granting of a few unimportant favors can lead her.  Here is where she is imprudent, for by her very rashness she accustoms her imagination to contemplate suggestions which are the final cause of her seduction.  She travels a long way on the road without perceiving that she has moved a single step.  If upon looking back along the route, she is surprised at having yielded so much, her lover will be no less surprised at having obtained so much.

But I go still further.  I am persuaded that love is not always necessary to bring about the downfall of a woman.  I knew a woman, who, although amiable in her manner with everybody, had never been suspected of any affair of the heart.  Fifteen years of married life had not diminished her tenderness for her husband, and their happy union could be cited as an example to imitate.

One day at her country place, her friends amused themselves so late that they were constrained to remain at her house all night.  In the morning, her servants happening to be occupied with her guests, she was alone in her apartment engaged in making her toilet.  A man whom she knew quite well, but who was without social position, dropped in for a short visit and to pass the compliments of the day.  Some perplexity in her toilette, induced him to offer his services.  The neglige dress she wore, naturally gave him an opportunity to compliment her upon her undiminished charms.  Of course she protested, but laughingly, claiming they were unmerited.  However, one thing followed another, they became a trifle sentimental, a few familiarities which they did not at first deem of any consequence, developed into something more decided, until, finally, unable to resist, they were both overcome, the woman being culpable, for she regarded his advances in the nature of a joke and let them run on.  What was their embarrassment after such a slip?  They have never since been able to understand how they could have ventured so far without having had the slightest intention of so doing.

I am tempted to exclaim here:  Oh, you mortals who place too much reliance upon your virtue, tremble at this example!  Whatever may be your strength, there are, unfortunately, moments when the most virtuous is the most feeble.  The reason for this strange phenomenon is, that nature is always on the watch; always aiming to attain her ends.  The desire for love is, in a woman, a large part of her nature.  Her virtue is nothing but a piece of patchwork.