The Countess need not worry, for I know you well enough to assure her that it is not that class of women she may apprehend, there are in the world, others more redoubtable, they are the “gallant women,” those equivocal women in society.  They occupy a middle position between good women and those I have been talking about; they associate with the former and are not different from the latter except on the surface.  More voluptuous than tender, they seduce by lending to the least refined sentiments an air of passion which is mistaken for love.  They understand how to convey an impression of tenderness to what is only a taste for pleasure.  They make you believe that it is by choice, by a knowledge of your merit that they yield.  If you do not know them to be gallant women, the shade of difference which distinguishes the true motives which actuates them, from the sensibility of the heart, is impossible to seize.  You accept for excess of passion what is only an intoxication of the senses.  You imagine you are loved because you are lovable, but it is only because you are a man.

These are the women I should fear if I were in the place of the Countess.  The financial woman who has lately appeared in society belongs to this class, but I have already warned the Countess.

I call to mind, here, that in your preceding letter, you mentioned the allurements which the Countess thought proper to manifest?  She was right in taking umbrage.  Your passion for her is truly too great to prevent you from sacrificing everything, but I fear you will not always be so honest.

Madame de ——­ possesses bloom and cheerfulness; she is at an age when women assume charge of young men who desire to be fitted for society, and to learn their first lessons in gallantry.  The interesting and affectionate disposition you find in her will have its effect, but be careful, it is I who warn you.  Although I despise such women, it happens that they have the power to create attachments; they often find the secret of making you commit more follies than any of the other women.

XXXVIII

Varieties of Resistance are Essential

I hasten to tell you, Marquis, that I have just maintained a thesis against Monsieur de la Bruyere.  No doubt you admire my temerity?  However it is true.  He pretends that Corneille described men as they should be, and Racine as they are; I held the contrary.  We had some illustrious spectators of the dispute, and I ought to be very proud of the suffrages in my favor.

But all the details would be too long to write you, so come and we will talk them over.  Every one has his own fashion of describing things, I have mine, I know.  I represent women as they are, and I am very sorry not to be able to represent them as they should be.  Now I shall reply to your letter.