ns a month. With much
ingenuousness she told us how Madame, whom she greatly
respected, had looked after two old "boarders," who no longer
had any clients. She also had a protector.

We tried to induce her to commence another life, promising her a
situation, but she refused, saying that even if she wished to do
so Madame would not let her go; besides, she would always be
reproached for her past life, and she did not wish to live with
people who would always despise her. She had already suffered
enough trouble and did not wish to launch on the unknown.
Moreover, she had lost her former habits and had never learnt
anything seriously. In short, she did not wish to give up her
pleasant and comfortable life!

This conversation led us to the conclusion that the case in
question was not of a nature to justify any action on the part
of our society for the rescue of young women.

In spite of her tender age, this girl gave us the impression of
mature judgment. It appeared already much too late to attempt to
recommence her education. She also showed signs of great anxiety
when we spoke to her of leaving her brothel.

This case requires no comment; it gives a good idea of our social
condition. The religious piety of this girl, and her profound
veneration for "Madame," are typical of the deviation of moral sense
by the suggestion of environment.

=Varieties in Prostitutes.=--We thus see that prostitutes constitute a
collection of very different individuals. Although it may be true
that, on the average, their ranks are recruited from girls who are
coarse, shameless, depraved and alcoholic, it is no less false to
conclude that all are of bad heredity. A considerable number are
pathological individuals, including hysterical subjects, nymphomaniacs
and other psychopaths. Others again are naturally amoral, stupid, idle
and deceitful, or have been accustomed to vicious surroundings from
infancy; or else they are of an absolutely indifferent and apathetic
nature, or very suggestible and yielding to every seduction and
external impulse. The latter perhaps form the largest contingent,
because they most easily become the prey of proxenetism.

Many of them have fallen by seduction. Ashamed of their first error,
and not having the courage to bear the consequences, they gradually
sink into the swamp of prostitution. Illegitimate births play a great
part here.