precious, if you know how to use them aright.  If you want to have your husband always in your power, keep him at a distance.  But let your sternness be the result of modesty not caprice; let him find you modest not capricious; beware lest in controlling his love you make him doubt your own.  Be all the dearer for your favours and all the more respected when you refuse them; let him honour his wife’s chastity, without having to complain of her coldness.

“Thus, my child, he will give you his confidence, he will listen to your opinion, will consult you in his business, and will decide nothing without you.  Thus you may recall him to wisdom, if he strays, and bring him back by a gentle persuasion, you may make yourself lovable in order to be useful, you may employ coquetry on behalf of virtue, and love on behalf of reason.

“Do not think that with all this, your art will always serve your purpose.  In spite of every precaution pleasures are destroyed by possession, and love above all others.  But when love has lasted long enough, a gentle habit takes its place and the charm of confidence succeeds the raptures of passion.  Children form a bond between their parents, a bond no less tender and a bond which is sometimes stronger than love itself.  When you cease to be Emile’s mistress you will be his friend and wife; you will be the mother of his children.  Then instead of your first reticence let there be the fullest intimacy between you; no more separate beds, no more refusals, no more caprices.  Become so truly his better half that he can no longer do without you, and if he must leave you, let him feel that he is far from himself.  You have made the charms of home life so powerful in your father’s home, let them prevail in your own.  Every man who is happy at home loves his wife.  Remember that if your husband is happy in his home, you will be a happy wife.

“For the present, do not be too hard on your lover; he deserves more consideration; he will be offended by your fears; do not care for his health at the cost of his happiness, and enjoy your own happiness.  You must neither wait for disgust nor repulse desire; you must not refuse for the sake of refusing, but only to add to the value of your favours.”

Then, taking her back to Emile, I say to her young husband, “One must bear the yoke voluntarily imposed upon oneself.  Let your deserts be such that the yoke may be lightened.  Above all, sacrifice to the graces, and do not think that sulkiness will make you more amiable.”  Peace is soon made, and everybody can guess its terms.  The treaty is signed with a kiss, after which I say to my pupil, “Dear Emile, all his life through a man needs a guide and counsellor.  So far I have done my best to fulfil that duty; my lengthy task is now ended, and another will undertake this duty.  To-day I abdicate the authority which you gave me; henceforward Sophy is your guardian.”