One breath,
one suspicion, and she becomes fair game, even under the strictest
code among men; and then, the man who did not dare would be
despised because he would not dare. Her life is one long war
against suspicion. It is one long war against selfishness, a
continued defense against desire, gratification. She is, even
to-day, valued as chattel--under all the laws and conventions built
about her runs the chattel idea. She is a convenience. Is that
all?"
"My dear lady, it is not for me to enter into discussion of
subjects so abstruse, so far removed at least from my proper trend
of thought--our proper trend of thought, if you please. I must
admit that act of folly, yes. But I must also end the matter
there."
"Then why should not I end our matter there, Sir? It seems to me
that if in any usual way of life, going about her business
honestly, paying her obligations of all sort--even that to her
crucifix at night--a woman who is clean wishes to remain clean, to
be herself,--why, I say, if that may not be, among men great or
small, distinguished or unknown, then most fortunate is she who
remains aloof from all chance of that sort of thing.
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