If there are so many infanticides;
If the law does not protect the woman deceived and made a mother;
If this law does not compel the seducer to any reparation;
If public opinion leaves to the victim all the shame;
Why do you reproach a man for reminding a young girl that from love may proceed maternity?
For telling her that she ought to provide in advance for the child that may be born, in order that it may not be cast upon public charity, and that she herself may not risk falling into those sinks of impurity that are the shame and degradation of our sex?
Do you reproach a man then for taking our part against the selfish and animal passions of his sex, and against the impunity accorded them by the laws?
Do you reproach him for taking in hand the cause of morals and health, in opposition to the degradation of soul and body?
A young girl stipulate the sale of her person! say you? what essential difference do you find between this kind of contract, and those that are made to-day before the notary on the occasion of a marriage?
Did not most among you, ladies, purchase your husbands with so much dowry, so much income, so much expectations? And if these husbands of yours did not think it shameful to be sold, and if you do not esteem them less for it, be good enough to tell me from what principle you judge it shameful for a young girl to do the same in order to rear her children, and to live without prostituting herself?