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person, nor have the appearance of being uneasy; but of one who looksupon all with a serene countenance; doing this, you will give no oneoccasion of being offended with you. Show a becoming countenance;that you may neither appear morose, nor, on the other hand, too com-plaisant. See, my daughter, that you give yourself no concern aboutthe words you may hear, in going through the street, nor pay anyregard to them, let those who come and go say what they will. Takecare that you neither answer nor speak, but act as if you neitherheard nor understood them; since, doing in this manner, no one will beable to say with truth that you have said any thing amiss. See, like-wise, my daughter, that you never paint your face, or stain it or yourlips with colors, in order to appear well; since this is a mark of vile andunchaste women. Paints and coloring are things which bad women use,—the immodest, who have lost all shame and even sense, who are likefools and drunkards, and are called rameras [prostitutes]. But, thatyour husband may not dislike you, adorn yourself, wash yourself,and cleanse your clothes; and let this be done with moderation ;since, if every day you wash yourself and your clothes, it will be saidof you, that you are overnice, — too delicate; they will call you tape-petzon tinemaxoch. — My daughter, this is the course you are to take ;since in this manner the ancestors from whom you spring broughtus up. Those noble and venerable dames, your grandmothers, told usnot so many things as I have told you, —they said but few words, andspoke thus: “Listen, my daughters; in this world, it is necessary tolive with much prudence and circumspection. Hear this allegory,which I shall now tell you, and preserve it, and take from it a warningand example for living aright. Here,'in this world, we travel by avery narrow, steep, and dangerous road, which is as a lofty mountainridge, on whose top passes a narrow path; on either side is a greatgulf without bottom, and, if you deviate from the path, you will fallinto it. There is need, therefore, of much discretion in pursuing theroad.” My tenderly loved daughter, my little dove, keep this illustra-tion in your heart, and see that you do not forget it, — it will be to youas a lamp and a beacon, so long as you shall live in this world. —Onlyone thing remains to be said, and I have done. If God shall give youlife, if you shall continue some years upon the earth, see that you guardyourself carefully, that no stain come upon you ; should you forfeityour chastity, and afterwards be asked in marriage and should marryany one, you will never be fortunate, nor have true love, —he willalways remember that you were not a virgin, and this will be thecause of great affliction and distress; you will never be at peace, for