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they mould our hearts； our brains； our tongues to their liking。 So； having now worn skirts for a considerable time； a certain change was visible in Orlando； which is to be found if the reader will look at @ above； even in her face。 If we pare the picture of Orlando as a man with that of Orlando as a woman we shall see that though both are undoubtedly one and the same person； there are certain changes。 The man has his hand free to seize his sword； the woman must use hers to keep the satins from slipping from her shoulders。 The man looks the world full in the face； as if it were made for his uses and fashioned to his liking。 The woman takes a sidelong glance at it； full of subtlety； even of suspicion。 Had they both worn the same clothes； it is possible that their outlook might have been the same。
That is the view of some philosophers and wise ones； but on the whole； we incline to another。 The difference between the sexes is； happily； one of great profundity。 Clothes are but a symbol of something hid deep beneath。 It was a change in Orlando herself that dictated her choice of a woman’s dress and of a woman’s sex。 And perhaps in this she was only expressing rather more openly than usual—openness indeed was the soul of her nature—something that happens to most people without being thus plainly expressed。 For here again； we e to a dilemma。 Different though the sexes are； they intermix。 In every human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes place； and often it is only the clothes that keep the male or female likeness； while underneath the sex is the very opposite of what it is above。 Of the plications and confusions which thus result everyone has had experience； but here we leave the general question and note only the odd effect it had in the particular case of Orlando herself。
For it was this mixture in her of man and woman； one being uppermost and then the other； that often gave her conduct an unexpected turn。 The curious of her own sex would argue； for example； if Orlando was a woman； how did she never take more than ten minutes to dress？ And were not her clothes chosen rather at random； and sometimes worn rather shabby？ And then they would say； still； she has none of the formality of a man； or a man’s love of power。 She is excessively tender–hearted。 She could not endure to see a donkey beaten or a kitten drowned。 Yet again； they noted； she detested household matters； was up at dawn and out among the fields in summer before the sun had risen。 No farmer knew more about the crops than she did。 She could drink with the best and liked games of hazard。 She rode well and drove six horses at a gallop over London Bridge。 Yet again； though bold and active as a man； it was remarked that the sight of another in danger brought on the most womanly palpitations。 She would burst into tears on slight provocation。 She was unversed in geography； found mathematics intolerable； and held some caprices which are more mon among women than men； as for instance that to travel south is to travel downhill。 Whether； then； Orlando was most man or woman； it is difficult to say and cannot now be decided。 For her coach was now rattling on the cobbles。 She had reached her home in the city。 The steps were being let down； the iron gates were being opened。 She was entering her father’s house at Blackfriars； which though fashion was fast deserting that end of the town； was still a pleasant； roomy mansion； with gardens running down to the river； and a pleasant grove of nut trees to walk in。
Here she took up her lodging and began instantly to look about her for what she had e in search of—that is to say； life and a lover。 About the first there might be some doubt； the second she found without the least difficulty two days after her arrival。 It was a Tuesday that she came to town。 On Thursday she went for a walk in the Mall； as was then the habit of persons of quality。 She had not made more than a turn or two of the avenue before she was observed by a little knot of vulgar people who go there to spy upon their betters。 As she came past them； a mon woman carrying a child at her breast stepped forward； peered familiarly into Orlando’s face； and cried out； ‘Lawk upon us； if it ain’t the Lady Orlando！’ Her panions came crowding round； and Orlando found herself in a moment the centre of a mob of staring citizens and tradesmen’s wives； all eager to gaze upon the heroine of the celebrated lawsuit。 Such was the interest that the case excited in the minds of the mon people。 She might； indeed； have found herself gravely dismoded by the pressure of the crowd—she had forgotten that ladies are not supposed to walk in public places alone—had not a tall gentleman at once stepped forward and offered her the protection of his arm。 It was the Archduke。 She was overe with distress and yet with some amusement at the sight。 Not only had this magnanimous nobleman forgiven her； but in order to show that he took her levity with the toad in good part； he had procured a jewel made in the shape of that reptile which he pressed upon her with a repetition of his suit as he handed her to her coach。
What with the crowd； what with the Duke； what with the jewel； she drove home in the vilest temper imaginable。 Was it impossible then to go for a walk without being half–suffocated； presented with a toad set in emeralds； and asked in marriage by an Archduke？ She took a kinder view of the case next day when she found on her breakfast table half a dozen billets from some of the greatest ladies in the land—Lady Suffolk； Lady Salisbury； Lady Chesterfield； Lady Tavistock； and others who reminded her in the politest manner of old alliances between their families and her own； and desired the honour of her acquaintance。 Next day； which was a Saturday； many of these great ladies waited on her in person。 On Tuesday； about noon； their footmen brought cards of invitation to various routs； dinners； and assemblies in the near future； so that Orlando was launched without delay； and with some splash and foam at that； upon the waters of London society。
To give a truthful account of London society at that or indeed at any other time； is beyond the powers of the biographer or the