A penitent woman is rare:
Even when a man, with his so-called superior reason, thinks he has proved her wrong, at the bottom of her heart she knows herself right.
* * *
Many have been the discussions as to woman's most powerful weapon. The simple fact is, she is armed cap a pie(2). Indeed, Every woman is a sort of feminine Proteus, not only in the myriad shapes she assumes, but also in her amenability to nothing but superior force. Women form, perhaps, where men are concerned, the single exception to the rule that in union there is strength. One woman often enough is irrepressible; two (be the second her own mother) break the charm an association of women is the feeblest of forces.
(2) Cf. Cowper:
They are all women, and they dart
Like Porcupines, from every part.
-Anacreontics
* * *
All women are rivals. And this they never forget. Consequently
Mistrust a truce between hostile ladies.
* * *