She flourishes in courts and palaces, theatres and
assemblies, and has no existence but when she is looked upon.
Aurelia, though a woman of great quality, delights in the privacy of
a country life, and passes away a great part of her time in her own
walks and gardens. Her husband, who is her bosom friend and
companion in her solitudes, has been in love with her ever since he
knew her. They both abound with good sense, consummate virtue, and
a mutual esteem; and are a perpetual entertainment to one another.
Their family is under so regular an economy, in its hours of
devotion and repast, employment and diversion, that it looks like a
little commonwealth within itself. They often go into company, that
they may return with the greater delight to one another; and
sometimes live in town, not to enjoy it so properly as to grow weary
of it, that they may renew in themselves the relish of a country
life. By this means they are happy in each other, beloved by their
children, adored by their servants, and are become the envy, or
rather the delight, of all that know them.
How different to this is the life of Fulvia! She considers her
husband as her steward, and looks upon discretion and good
housewifery as little domestic virtues unbecoming a woman of
quality.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43