If one is now convinced that the German proverb which says: _Auf ein Weibes Zunge ist Nein nicht Nein_ (On a woman’s tongue “no” is not “no”), what then? Well, but how the point is to be finally settled is not satisfactorily explained by the authorities within my reach; and this is the reason why I dare not pronounce an opinion on the question at issue. But I am convinced that the momentary difficulty will afford the man the necessary diplomatic qualities as well as the requisite tact. There is only one thing I can lay down for certain, viz., that if a man follows his natural simplicity and reserve, and takes the girl’s feigned “No” seriously, she will only laugh at him afterwards--such, again, is woman’s nature. A well-known French _chanson_ deals with a hunter who meets a young girl out in the forest. Struck by her beauty, he wants to kiss her: And takes her by her white hand, Intending to caress her; W. F. H. but she begins to cry, and, moved by her tears, he releases her; but he has hardly got clear of the wood before she begins to laugh at him heartily, and in derision shouts after him: “When you’ve got hold of a quail you ought to pluck it, and when you’ve got hold of a girl you ought to embrace her”: Quand vous teniez la caille, Il fallait la plumer. Quand vous teniez la fillette, Il fallait l’embrasser. I quote these verses, for they may possibly afford inexperienced young men some matter for reflection. Besides, a woman’s “No” has often a piquancy about it which lovers of a somewhat more refined class set great store by. Even Martial (v. 46) has expressed himself in favour of this in a little epigram which begins thus: While ev’ry joy I scorn, but that I snatch; And me thy furies more than features catch. And Marot, who was likewise much skilled in “_ars amandi_,” even begs his mistress not to give him her kisses readily: Mouth of coral, rare and bright, That in kissing seems to bite; Longed-for mouth, I pray you this: Feign deny me when you kiss. W. F. H. Dorat has also expressed himself in favour of such. “Promise me nine kisses,” says he to his Thais, “give me eight, and let me struggle for the ninth.” The first eight kisses you accord Will crown my love’s felicity; But I shall die in joy’s reward If for the ninth a struggle be. W. F. H. Even if the answer is not a decided negative, yet it can, you know, be couched in such equivocal words as to be tantamount to neither a permission nor a refusal. Many girls agree with the Swedish song: But “yes” ’s a word I will not say, Nor will I either answer “nay.” W. F. H.