ionately as ever, and to whom her
father had accounted for the non-fulfilment of the engagement in a very
unsatisfactory manner. Of course Osborne could not fail to be delighted
at this proof of her devotedness; the meeting was most affectionate on
both sides; and, with the view of coming to a decision respecting their
future proceedings, they adjourned to an hotel in the vicinity. Here,
whilst seated at a table and in earnest conversation, the young lady's
father rushed in, and instantly shot down Osborne, who expired at
his feet. With a frantic shriek the poor girl fell on the body of her
betrothed, and finding a poniard or a knife concealed in his breast, she
seized it, instantly plunged it into her heart, and was soon a corpse
beside her lover.

CHAPTER X. LADY GAMESTRESSES.

The passions of the two sexes are similar in the main; the distinctions
between them result less from nature than from education. Often we meet
with women, especially the literary sort, who seem veritable men, if not
so, as the lawyers say, 'to all intents and purposes;' and often we
meet with men, especially town-dandies, who can only be compared to very
ordinary women.

Almost all the ancients had the bad taste to speak ill of women; among
the rest even that delightful old Father 'of the golden mouth,' St
Chrysostom.(94) So that, evidently, Dr Johnson's fierce dictum cannot
apply universally--'Only scoundrels speak ill of women.'

(94) Hom. II.

Seneca took the part of women, exclaiming:--'By no means believe that
their souls are inferior to ours, or that they are less endowed with the
virtues. As for honour, it is equally great and energetic among them.'

A foreign lady was surprised at beholding the equality established
between the men and women at Sparta; whereupon the wife of Leonidas, the
King of Sparta, said to her:--'Do you not know that it is we who bring
forth the men? It is not the fathers, but the mothers, that effectually
form the heart.'

Napoleon seems to have formed what may be called a professional estimate
of women. When the demonstrative Madame de Stael asked him--evidently
expecting him to pay her a compliment--'Whom do you think the greatest
woman dead or alive?' Napoleon replied, 'Her, Madame, _WHO HAS BORNE
MOST SONS_.' Nettled by this sarcastic reply, she returned to the
charge, observing, 'It is said you are not friendly to the sex.'
Napoleon was her match again; 'Madame,' he exclaimed, 'I am passionate