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difficult in their choice on earth。〃
〃But why conceal those imperfections？〃 interposed I； tremulously。
〃Now； my love； are not you a most unreasonable little man？〃 said
Mrs。 Bullfrog； patting me on the cheek。 〃Ought a woman to
disclose her frailties earlier than the wedding day？ Few
husbands； I assure you； make the discovery in such good season；
and still fewer complain that these trifles are concealed too
long。 Well； what a strange man you are！ Poh！ you are joking。〃
〃But the suit for breach of promise！〃 groaned I。
〃Ah； and is that the rub？〃 exclaimed my wife。 〃Is it possible
that you view that affair in an objectionable light？ Mr。
Bullfrog； I never could have dreamed it！ Is it an objection that
I have triumphantly defended myself against slander and
vindicated my purity in a court of justice？ Or do you complain
because your wife has shown the proper spirit of a woman； and
punished the villain who trifled with her affections？〃
〃But；〃 persisted I； shrinking into a corner of the coach；
however；for I did not know precisely how much contradiction the
proper spirit of a woman would endure；〃but； my love； would it
not have been more dignified to treat the villain with the silent
contempt he merited？〃
〃That is all very well； Mr。 Bullfrog；〃 said my wife； slyly； 〃but；
in that case； where would have been the five thousand dollars
which are to stock your dry goods store？〃
〃Mrs。 Bullfrog； upon your honor；〃 demanded I； as if my life hung
upon her words； 〃is there no mistake about those five thousand
dollars？〃
〃Upon my word and honor there is none；〃 replied she。 〃The jury
gave me every cent the rascal had； and I have kept it all for my
dear Bullfrog。〃
〃Then； thou dear woman；〃 cried I； with an overwhelming gush of
tenderness； 〃let me fold thee to my heart。 The basis of
matrimonial bliss is secure； and all thy little defects and
frailties are forgiven。 Nay； since the result has been so
fortunate； I rejoice at the wrongs which drove thee to this
blessed lawsuit。 Happy Bullfrog that I am！〃