CONDUCT OF A <; KNTI.KMAX WHKX ADDRESSES REJECTED. 3Q1 



relatives as presumptuous ami intrusive. Under such circumstances, the 

 letter may be placed by the lady in the hands of her parents or guardian, 

 to be dealt with by them as they may deem most advisable. 



No woman of proper feeling would regard her rejection of an offer of 

 marriage from a worthy man as a matter of triumph ; her feeling on such 

 an occasion should be one of regretful sympathy with him for the pain 

 she is unavoidably compelled to inflict. Nor should such a rejection be 

 unaccompanied with some degree of self-examination on her part, to 

 discern whether any lightness of demeanour or tendency to flirtation may 

 have given rise to a false hope of her favouring his suit. At all event-, 

 no lady should ever treat the man who has so honoured her with the 

 slightest disrespect or frivolous disregard, nor ever unfeelingly parade a 

 more favoured suitor before one whom she has refused. 



Conduct of a Gentleman when his Addresses are Eejected, 



The conduct of the gentleman under such distressing circumstances 

 should be characterized by extreme delicacy and a chivalrous resolve to 

 avoid occasioning any possible annoyance or uneasiness to the fair author 

 of his pain. If, however, he should have reason to suppose that his rejec- 

 tion has resulted from mere indifference to his suit, he need not altogether 

 retire from the field, but may endeavour to kindle a feeling of regard an<l 

 sympathy for the pateint endurance of his disappointment, and tor his 

 continued but respectful endeavours to please the lukewarm fair one. 

 But in case of avowed or evident preference for another, it becomes im- 

 perative upon him, as a gentleman, to withdraw at once, and so relieve 

 rli.- lady of any obstacle, that his presence or pretensions may occasion, to 

 furtherance of her obvious wishes. A pertinacious continuance of his 

 attentions, on the part of one who has been distinctly rejected, is an in- 

 sult deserving of the severest reprobation. Although the weakness of 

 her Bex, which ought to be her protection, frequently prevents a woman 

 from forriMv bivaking off an acquaintance thus annoyingly forced upon 

 her, shd rardy fails to resent such impertinence by that sharpest of 

 woman's weapons, a keen e.lg.-.l but courteous ridicule, which fe\v men 

 can bear up against. 



Refusal by the Lady's Parents or Guardians. 



It may happ.-n that Loth the lady an<i her suitor are willing, but that 



tin- pftreni >r guardiana f the former, on being retVnv.i to, deem the 



connection until t in^, an-1 r-fu>r their consent In this state of matters, 



