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oblige him, because I had never any real Value for him.
That's a very unhappy Case indeed. Madam, said I.
So unhappy, says she, that I would never advise any Body to marry without they know on both Sides, how things stand as to Love; for 'tis all nothing but a Banter to talk of Happiness without it; they that don't love before they marry, will never be happy when they are married.
But, Madam, you have been long married, said I; methinks kind and good Usage on both Sides should have made Love by this time.
'I don't know how it may do in other Folks, says she, but 'tis not so with me; Mr. W——— is as kind and tender of me as I can desire, and yet I don't know what ails me, I never did, and I never can love him; it won't do; I would advise no Body to marry before they Love; let them depend upon it, if they don't Love before-hand they will never love afterward; it is not to be done; I have found it by sad Experience.
Why, Madam, says I, the World thinks you are a mighty happy Couple.
Why then we have cheated the World, says she, as we did one another; for, I can assure you, as I speak to you in Confidence, we are a very unhappy Couple.
Why, Madam, you don't Quarrel, says I.
No, says she, never; good Manners, and good Breeding keep us from that: But what are all those Negatives to make a Couple happy? there's no Happiness without Love, and that on both Sides. Oh! says she with a Sigh, and so concluded the Discourse, let no Body marry and come together without Love; 'tis nothingbut
