e girl had been his for some time, and would
unconsciously class her as among those easily won.

The insinuation that she has been easily won is the thing which is not
to be borne. It may have been simple enough, in fact, but let a man
beware how he trifles with this delicate subject, even after fifty years
of marriage.

[Sidenote: On Probation]

Consequently, it is the proper thing to take the matter under advisement
and never to accept definitely without a period of probation. This is
the happiest time of a girl's life. She is absolutely sure of her lover
and may administer hope, fear, doubt, and discouragement to her heart's
content.

The delicate attentions which are showered upon her are the envy of
every spinster on the street who does not know the true state of the
affair. Sometimes, with indifferent generosity, she divides her roses
and invites the less fortunate to share her chocolates. This always
pleases the man, if he knows about it.

Also, because she is not in the least bound, she makes the best of this
last freedom and accepts the same courtesies from other men. Nothing is
so well calculated to sound the depths of original sin in man's nature,
as to find his rival's roses side by side with his, when a girl has him
on probation. And he never feels so entirely similar to an utter idiot,
as when he sees a girl to whom he has definitely committed himself,
flirting cheerfully with two or three other men.

Woe be to him if he remonstrates! For Mademoiselle is testing him with
this end in view. If he complains bitterly of her outrageous behaviour,
she dismisses him with sorrowful dignity, jealousy being the one thing
she cannot tolerate in men.

[Sidenote: Opportunity for Fine Work]

There is opportunity for fine work in the situation which the young
woman immediately develops. A man may take his choice of the evils which
lie before him, for almost anything may happen.

He may complain, and if he shows anger, there is war. If he betrays
jealousy, there is trouble which marriage will accentuate, rather than
lessen. If he shows concern because his beloved is so fickle, and
insinuates that so unstable a person will not make a good wife, he
touches pride in a vital spot and his cause is no more. Let him be
manfully unconcerned; as far above jealousy and angry reproach as a St.
Bernard is above a kitten--and Mademoiselle is his.

Philosophers laugh at woman's fickleness, but her constancy, when once
awak