There is however a good deal to be said against it. All young
ladies cannot be Miss Boncassens, with such an assurance of
admirers as to be free from all fear of loneliness. There is
comfort for a young lady in having a pied-a-terre to which she may
retreat in case of need. In American circles, where girls
congregate without their mothers, there is a danger felt by young
men that if a lady be once taken in hand, there will be no
possibility of getting rid of her,--no mamma to whom she may be
taken and under whose wings she may be dropped. 'My dear,' said an
old gentleman the other day walking through an American ball-room,
and addressing himself to a girl whom he knew well,--'My dear--' But
the girl bowed and passed on, still clinging to the arm of the
young man who accompanied her. But the old gentleman was cruel,
and possessed of a determined purpose. 'My dear,' he said again,
catching the young man tightly by the collar and holding him fast.
'Don't be afraid; I've got him; he shan't desert you; I'll hold
him here till you have told me how your father does.
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