regard to the position a married woman, and Miss Rowly, seeing a good
argumentative opening, remarked:

'But what if a woman does not get the opportunity of being married?'
Stephen looked at her a moment before saying with conviction:

'It is a woman's fault if she does not get the opportunity!' The old
lady smiled as she answered:

'Her fault? My dear, what if no man asks her?' This seemed to her
own mind a poser.

'Still her own fault! Why doesn't she ask him?' Her aunt's lorgnon
was dropped in horrified amazement.

Stephen went on impassively.

'Certainly! Why shouldn't she? Marriage is a union. As it is in
the eye of the law a civil contract, either party to it should be at
liberty to originate the matter. If a woman is not free to think of
a man in all ways, how is she to judge of the suitability of their
union? And if she is free in theory, why not free to undertake if
necessary the initiative in a matter so momentous to herself?' The
old lady actually groaned and wrung her hands; she was horrified at
such sentiments. They were daring enough to think; but to put them
in words! . . .

'Oh, my dear, my dear!' she moaned, 'be careful what you say. Some
one might hear you who would not understand, as I do, that you are
talking theory.' Stephen's habit of thought stood to her here. She