““What is certain is that the world has got beyond the stage at which one may affect modesty and maidenly shame, and I think that the world is too old a duffer to assume to be childish and maidenly without becoming ridiculous. Since its marriage to civilization society has forfeited its right to be ingenuous and prudish. There is a blush which beseems the bride as she is being bedded, which would be out of place on the morrow; for the young wife mayhap remembers no more what it is to be a girl, or, if she does remember it, it is very indecent, and seriously compromises the reputation of the husband.””
![“[A cat] will make itself the companion of your hours…” quote by Theophile Gautier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a3d/theophile-gautier-7224_cat_a-cat-will-make-itself-the-companion-of_34315.jpg)
