CONDUCT OF THE LADY DURING HER BETROTHAL. 393 



or amended, let him avail himself of this season, so favourable for 

 the frank interchange of thought between the betrothed pair, to urge their 

 correction. He will find a ready listener ; and any judicious counsel 

 offered to her by him will now be gratefully received, and remembered in 

 after life. After marriage it may ft) too late ; for advice on trivial points- 

 of conduct may then not improbably be resented by the wife as an un- 

 necessary interference ; now, the fair and loving creature is disposed like 

 pliant wax in his hands to mould herself to his reasonable wishes in all 

 things. 



Conduct of the Lady during her Betrothal, 



A lady is not expected to keep aloof from society on her engagement, 

 nor to debar herself from the customary attentions and courtesies of her 

 male acquaintances generally; but she should, while accepting them 

 cheerfully, maintain such a prudent reserve, as to intimate that they are 

 viewed by her as mere acts of ordinary courtesy and friendship. In all 

 places of public amusement at balls, the opera, etc, for a lady to be 

 seen with any other cavalier than her avowed lover, in close attendance 

 upon her, would expose her to the imputation of flirtation. She will 

 naturally take pains at such a period to observe the taste of her lover in 

 regard to her costume, and strive carefully to follow it, for all men de 

 to have their taste And wishes on such apparent trifles gratified. She 

 should at the same time observe much delicacy in regard to dress, and le 

 careful to avoid any unseemly display of her charms ; lovers are naturally 

 jealous of observation under such circumstances. It is a mistake not sel- 

 dom made by women, to suppose their suitors will IK- pleased l>v the ^low- 

 ini: admiration c\piv.s<rd by other men for the object of ///<// passion. 

 Most lovers, on the contrary, we believe, would prefer to withdraw their 

 pri/r from general observation until the happy moment for their union 

 has arr'r. 



Conduct of the Gentleman towards the Family of his Betrothed. 



lover, having n\v B6CQred his position, should u-- di-civt ion and 

 tact in his intercourse with the lady's family, and take can' that 1 

 l.r not deemed too fre-ph-nt so as to be really inconvenient to them. He 

 should accommodate himself a- much a- possihl,- to their hal.it- and \\ . 

 and be i iy and attentive t o consult their wishes latten- 



t ion, ami in most cases all- ct i- mate kindne^. to the lady'- int h.-r ou^ht to 

 hown ; such n -p-rtaMc homage will BdOOTe for him many advant;< 



