Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)

The Conversations of Emily [Conversations d'Émilie]

London

Printed by John Marshall and Co.

1787

"Those who were well acquainted with the world and the Court, agreed, that the heart of woman was an inexplicable abyss; and all remarked the novelty of this sentiment."

This alone was sufficient grounds for the old waiting gentlewoman to persuade Regentina, that this was the husband destined by the Oracle, because he would not take the Princess without green, not on account of his disdaining to wear green, but that it was not in his power to do so, notwithstanding all his efforts; which, in her mind, made a material difference in the meaning of the Oracle. Regentina remained speechless and confused, at the pitiful result of such pompous preliminaries. Those who were well acquainted with the world and the Court, agreed, that the heart of woman was an inexplicable abyss; and all remarked the novelty of this sentiment. The philosophers alone found it simple and natural. They remembered the tale of, The way to please the ladies, written by one of their fraternity; and thought it common enough for a woman of sense to prefer a coxcomb, whom she could govern as she liked, to a man, who would always surpass her, in spite of her and himself too, by possessing qualities too eminent. (Vol. II, pages 88-9)

Geography::Abyss

Contributed by PC Fleming, searching "heart."

Translation of Conversations d'Émilie (1784) [translated by Lewis Lyons].

Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d'),The conversations of Emily. Translated from the French of Madame la Comtesse d'Epigny. 2 vols. (London: Printed and sold by John Marshall and Co., 1787. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale. <Link to vol. I> <Link to Vol. II>

07/17/2010