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e usual instruments of defence。 I was desirous of rescuing this person from the danger which surrounded her； but was somewhat at a loss how to effect my purpose。 My single strength was insufficient to contend with three ruffians。 After a moment's debate； an expedient was suggested； which I hastened to execute。
Time had not been allowed for the ruffian who stood beside the carriage to receive the plunder； when several voices； loud； clamorous； and eager； were heard in the quarter whence the traveller had come。 By trampling with quickness； it was easy to imitate the sound of many feet。 The robbers were alarmed； and one called upon another to attend。 The sounds increased； and； at the next moment； they betook themselves to flight； but not till a pistol was discharged。 Whether it was aimed at the lady in the carriage； or at the coachman； I was not permitted to discover； for the report affrighted the horses； and they set off at full speed。
I could not hope to overtake them： I knew not whither the robbers had fled； and whether； by proceeding； I might not fall into their hands。 。 。 。 。 These considerations induced me to resume my feet； and retire from the scene as expeditiously as possible。 I regained my own habitation without injury。
I have said that I occupied separate apartments from those of Ludloe。 To these there were means of access without disturbing the family。 I hasted to my chamber； but was considerably surprized to find； on entering my apartment； Ludloe seated at a table； with a lamp before him。
My momentary confusion was greater than his。 On discovering who it was； he assumed his accustomed looks； and explained appearances； by saying； that he wished to converse with me on a subject of importance； and had therefore sought me at this secret hour； in my own chamber。 Contrary to his expectation； I was absent。 Conceiving it possible that I might shortly return； he had waited till now。 He took no further notice of my absence； nor manifested any desire to know the cause of it； but proceeded to mention the subject which had brought him hither。 These were his words。
You have nothing which the laws permit you to call your own。 Justice entitles you to the supply of your physical wants； from those who are able to supply them； but there are few who will acknowledge your claim； or spare an atom of their superfluity to appease your cravings。 That which they will not spontaneously give； it is not right to wrest from them by violence。 What then is to be done？
Property is necessary to your own subsistence。 It is useful； by enabling you to supply the wants of others。 To give food； and clothing； and shelter； is to give life； to annihilate temptation； to unshackle virtue； and propagate felicity。 How shall property be gained？
You may set your understanding or your hands at work。 You may weave stockings； or write poems； and exchange them for money； but these are tardy and meagre schemes。 The means are disproportioned to the end； and I will not suffer you to pursue them。 My justice will supply your wants。
But dependance on the justice of others is a precarious condition。 To be the object is a less ennobling state than to be the bestower of benefit。 Doubtless you desire to be vested with competence and riches； and to hold them by virtue of the law； and not at the will of a benefactor。 。 。 。 。 。 He paused as if waiting for my assent to his positions。 I readily expressed my concurrence； and my desire to pursue any means compatible with honesty。 He resumed。
There are various means； besides labour； violence； or fraud。 It is right to select the easiest within your reach。 It happens that the easiest is at hand。 A revenue of some thousands a year； a stately mansion in the city； and another in Kildare； old and faithful domestics； and magnificent furniture； are good things。 Will you have them？
A gift like that； replied I； will be attended by momentous conditions。 I cannot decide upon its value； until I know these conditions。
The sole condition is your consent to receive them。 Not even the airy obligation of gratitude will be created by acceptance。 On the contrary； by accepting them； you will confer the highest benefit upon another。
I do not comprehend you。 Something surely must be given in return。
Nothing。 It may seem strange that； in accepting the absolute controul of so much property； you subject yourself to no conditions； that no claims of gratitude or service will accrue； but the wonder is greater still。 The law equitably enough fetters the gift with no restraints； with respect to you that receive it； but not so with regard to the unhappy being who bestows it。 That being must part； not only with property but liberty。 In accepting the property； you must consent to enjoy the services of the present possessor。 They cannot be disjoined。
Of the true nature and extent of the gift； you should be fully apprized。 Be aware； therefore； that； together with this property； you will receive absolute power over the liberty and person of the being who now possesses it。 That being must become your domestic slave； be governed； in every particular； by your caprice。
Happily for you； though fully invested with this power； the degree and mode in which it will be exercised will depend upon yourself。 。 。 。 。 You may either totally forbear the exercise； or employ it only for the benefit of your slave。 However injurious； therefore； this authority may be to the subject of it； it will； in some sense； only enhance the value of the gift to you。
The attachment and obedience of this being will be chiefly evident in one thing。 Its duty will consist in conforming； in every instance； to your will。 All the powers of this being are to be devoted to your happiness； but there is one relation between you； which enables you to confer； while exacting； pleasure。 。 。 。 。 This relation is ~~sexual~~。 Your slave is a woman； and the bond； which transfers her property and person to you； is 。 。 。 。 ~~marriage~~。
My knowledge of Ludloe； his principles； and reasonings； ought to have precluded that surprise which I experienced at the conclusion of his discourse。 I knew that he regarded the present institution of marriage as a contract of servitude； and the terms of it unequal and unjust。 When my surprise had subsided； my thoughts turned upon the nature of his scheme。 After a pause of reflection； I answered：
Both law and custom have connected obligations with marriage； which； though heaviest on the female； are not light upon the male。 Their weight and extent are not immutable and uniform； they are modified by various incidents； and especially by the mental and personal qualities of the lady。
I am not sure that I should willingly accept the property and person of a woman decrepid with age； and enslaved by perverse habits and evil passions： whereas youth； beauty； and tenderness would be worth accepting； even for their own sake； and disconnected with fortune。
As to altar vows； I believe they will not make me swerve from equity。 I shall exact neither service nor affection from my spouse。 The value of these； and； indeed； not only the value； but the very existence； of the latter depends upon its spontan