women had the same rights and the same faculties; that living in a state of society we ought, nevertheless, to obey nature—­as if the wife of a Spanish grandee, as if you or I had anything in common with the women of the people!  Since then, well-bred women have suckled their children, have educated their daughters, and stayed in their own homes.  Life has become so involved that happiness is almost impossible,—­for a perfect harmony between natures such as that which has made you and me live as two friends is an exception.  Perpetual contact is as dangerous for parents and children as it is for husband and wife.  There are few souls in which love survives this fatal omnipresence.  Therefore, I say, erect between yourself and Paul the barriers of society; go to balls and operas; go out in the morning, dine out in the evenings, pay visits constantly, and grant but little of your time to your husband.  By this means you will always keep your value to him.  When two beings bound together for life have nothing to live upon but sentiment, its resources are soon exhausted, indifference, satiety, and disgust succeed.  When sentiment has withered what will become of you?  Remember, affection once extinguished can lead to nothing but indifference or contempt.  Be ever young and ever new to him.  He may weary you,—­that often happens,—­but you must never weary him.  The faculty of being bored without showing it is a condition of all species of power.  You cannot diversify happiness by the cares of property or the occupations of a family.  If you do not make your husband share your social interests, if you do not keep him amused you will fall into a dismal apathy.  Then begins the spleen of love.  But a man will always love the woman who amuses him and keeps him happy.  To give happiness and to receive it are two lines of feminine conduct which are separated by a gulf.”

“Dear mother, I am listening to you, but I don’t understand one word you say.”

“If you love Paul to the extent of doing all he asks of you, if you make your happiness depend on him, all is over with your future life; you will never be mistress of your home, and the best precepts in the world will do you no good.”

“That is plainer; but I see the rule without knowing how to apply it,” said Natalie, laughing.  “I have the theory; the practice will come.”

“My poor Ninie,” replied the mother, who dropped an honest tear at the thought of her daughter’s marriage, “things will happen to teach it to you—­And,” she continued, after a pause, during which the mother and daughter held each other closely embraced in the truest sympathy, “remember this, my Natalie:  we all have our destiny as women, just as men have their vocation as men.  A woman is born to be a woman of the world and a charming hostess, as a man is born to be a general or a poet.  Your vocation is to please.  Your education has formed you for society.  In these days women should be educated for the salon as they once were for the