lay
aside all disputes; and looking upon her with a great deal of good
nature, said, 'Pray, my dear, will you help my friend to a wing of
the fowl that lies next you, for I think it looks extremely well.'
The lady, instead of answering him, addressing herself to me,
'Pray, sir,' said she, 'do you in Surrey reckon the white- or the
black-legged fowls the best?' I found the husband changed colour at
the question; and before I could answer, asked me, whether we did
not call hops 'broom' in our country? I quickly found, they did not
ask questions so much out of curiosity as anger: for which reason I
thought fit to keep my opinion to myself, and, as an honest man
ought (when he sees two friends in warmth with each other), I took
the first opportunity I could to leave them by themselves.

"You see, sir, I have laid before you only small incidents, which
are seemingly trivial; but take it from a man who am very well
experienced in this state, they are principally evils of this
nature which make marriages unhappy. At the same time, that I may
do justice to this excellent institution, I must own to you, there
are unspeakable pleasures which are as little regarded in the
computation of the advantages of marriage, as the others are in the
usual survey that is made of its misfortunes.

"Lovemore and his wife live together in the happy possession of
each other's hearts, and by that means have no indifferent moments,
but their whole life is one continued scene of delight. Their
passion for each other communicates a certain satisfaction, like
that which they themselves are in, to all that approach them. When
she enters the place where he is, you see a pleasure which he
cannot conceal, nor he or any one else describe. In so consummate
an affection, the very presence of the person beloved has the
effect of the most agreeable conversation. Whether they have matter
to talk of or not, they enjoy the pleasures of society, and at the
same time the freedom of solitude. Their ordinary life is to be
preferred to the happiest moments of other lovers. In a word, they
have each of them great merit, live in the esteem of all who know
them, and seem but to comply with the opinions of their friends, in
the just value they have for each other."

[Footnote 168: Francesca Marga