300 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



The lady, before proposal, is generally prepared for it. It is seldom 

 that such an avowal comes without some previous indications of look and 

 manner on the part of the admirer, which can hardly fail of being under- 

 stood. She may not, indeed, consider herself engaged ; and although 

 nearly certain of the conquest she has made, may yet have her misgivings. 

 Some gentlemen dread to ask, lest they should be refused. Many pause 

 just at the point, and refrain from anything like ardour in their profes- 

 sions of attachment, until they feel confident that they may be spared 

 the mortification and ridicule that is supposed to attach to being rejected y 

 in addition to the pain of disappointed hope. This hesitation when the 

 mind is made up is wrong ; but it does often occur, and we suppose ever 

 will do so, with persons of great timidity of character. By it both parties 

 are kept needlessly on the fret, until the long-looked-for opportunity un- 

 expectedly arrives, when the flood-gates of feeling are loosened, and the 

 full tide of mutual affection gushes forth uncontrolled. It is, however, 

 at this moment the agony-point to the embarrassed lover, who " doats 

 yet doubts " whose suppressed feelings rendered him morbidly sensitive 

 that a lady should be especially careful lest any show of either prudery 

 or coquetry on her part should lose to her forever the object of her choice. 

 True love is generally delicate and timid, and may easily be scared by 

 affected indifference, through feelings of wounded pride. A lover needs 

 very little to assure him of the reciprocation of his attachment : a glance, 

 a single pressure of the hand, a whispered syllable, on the part of the 

 loved one, will suffice to confirm his hopes. 



Eefusal by the Young Lady. 



When a lady rejects the proposal of a gentleman, her behaviour should 

 be characterized by the most delicate feeling toward one who, in offering 

 her his hand, has proved his desire to confer upon her, by this implied 

 preference for her above all other women, the greatest honour it is in his 

 power to offer. Therefore, if she have no love for him, she ought at 

 least to evince a tender regard for his feelings ; and in the event of her 

 being previously engaged, should at once acquaint him with the fact. No 

 right-minded man would desire to persist in a suit, when he well knew 

 that the object of his admiration had already disposed of her heart. 



When a gentleman makes an offer of his hand by letter, the letter must 

 be answered, and certainly not returned, should the answer be a refusal ; 

 unless, indeed, when from a previous repulse, or some other particular and 

 special circumstance, such an offer may be regarded by the lady or her 



