r thus interpreted--

"Are not, you would say, at all times to be relied on."

"Why, no,'squire--I would not exactly say that--that might be something
too much of a speech. I did mean to say, from what we see daily, that it
isn't always they know their own minds."

"There is some truth, Forrester, in the distinction, and I have thought
so before. I am persuaded that the gentler sex is far less given to
deceit than our own; but their opinions and feelings, on the other hand,
are formed with infinitely more frequency and facility, and are more
readily acted upon by passing and occasional influences. Their very
susceptibility to the most light and casual impressions, is, of itself,
calculated to render vacillating their estimate of things and
characters. They are creatures of such delicate construction, and their
affections are of such like character, that, like all fine machinery
they are perpetually operated on by the atmosphere, the winds, the dew,
and the night. The frost blights and the sun blisters; and a kind or
stern accent elevates or depresses, where, with us, it might pass
unheeded or unheard.

"We are more cunning--more shy and cautious; and seldom, after a certain
age, let our affections out of our own custody. We learn very soon in
life--indeed, we are compelled to learn, in our own defence, at a very
early period--to go into the world as if we were going into battle. We
send out spies, keep sentinels on duty, man our defences, carry arms in
our bosoms, which we cover with a buckler, though, with the policy of a
court, we conceal that in turn with a silken and embroidered vestment.
We watch every erring thought--we learn to be equivocal of speech; and
our very hearts, as the Indians phrase it, are taught to speak their
desires with a double tongue. We are perpetually on the lookout for
enemies and attack; we dread pitfalls and circumventions, and we feel
that every face which we encounter is a smiling deceit--every honeyed
word a blandishment meant to betray us. These are lessons which society,
as at present constituted, teaches of itself.

"With women the case is essentially different. They have few of these
influences to pervert and mislead. They have nothing to do in the
market-place--they are not candidates for place or power--they have not
the ambition which is always struggling for state and for self; but,
with a wisdom in this, that might avail us wonderfully in all other
respects, they are kept a