t what proceeded from difference of education and custom, between the
pure and impure--and yet custom alone, as she observed, if I did so
think, would make a second nature, as well in good as in bad habits.

***

I have just now been called to account for some innocent liberties which
I thought myself entitled to take before the women; as they suppose us to
be married, and now within view of consummation.

I took the lecture very hardly; and with impatience wished for the happy
day and hour when I might call her all my own, and meet with no check
from a niceness that had no example.

She looked at me with a bashful kind of contempt. I thought it contempt,
and required the reason for it; not being conscious of offence, as I told
her.

This is not the first time, Mr. Lovelace, said she, that I have had cause
to be displeased with you, when you, perhaps, have not thought yourself
exceptionable.--But, Sir, let me tell you, that the married state, in my
eye, is a state of purity, and [I think she told me] not of
licentiousness; so, at least, I understood her.

Marriage-purity, Jack!--Very comical, 'faith--yet, sweet dears, half the
female world ready to run away with a rake, because he is a rake; and for
no other reason; nay, every other reason against their choice of such a
one.

But have not you and I, Belford, seen young wives, who would be thought
modest! and, when maids, were fantastically shy; permit freedoms in
public from their uxorious husbands, which have shown, that both of them
have forgotten what belongs either to prudence or decency? while every
modest eye has sunk under the shameless effrontery, and every modest face
been covered with blushes for those who could not blush.

I once, upon such an occasion, proposed to a circle of a dozen, thus
scandalized, to withdraw; since they must needs see that as well the
lady, as the gentleman, wanted to be in private. This motion had its
effect upon the amorous pair; and I was applauded for the check given to
their licentiousness.

But, upon another occasion of this sort, I acted a little more in
character. For I ventured to make an attempt upon a bride, which I
should not have had the courage to make, had not the unblushing
passiveness with which she received her fond husband's public toyings
(looking round her with triumph rather than with shame, upon every lady
present) incited my curiosity to know if the same complacency might not
be shown to a priv