Mill. It's a general maxim among the knowing part of mankind, that a woman without virtue, like a man without honour or honesty, 40 is capable of any action, tho' never so vile; and yet, what pains will they not take, what arts not use, to seduce us from our innocence, and make us contemptible and wicked, even in their own opinions! Then is it not just, the villains, 45 to their cost, should find us so.-But guilt makes them suspicious, and keeps them on their guard; therefore we can take advantage only of the young and innocent part of the sex, who, ✓ having never injured women, apprehend no so injury from them. L11cy. Ay, they m
This paragraph is such an important part of defining Sarah Millwood's character because it shows not only her motivation in seducing George, but the ethical code she has set for herself and the society around her. She is able to defend her actions and the scheme that she has planned for Barnwell by always comparing herself to the 'bigger fish', which in this case would be men who have jaded her. She knows that her targets are young and innocent, but this conversation between her and Lucy shines light on how she has no guilt in taking advantage of innocent people to get what she wants. On the either side of the coin we see Lucy, who like Millwood, hasn't received a rich or luxurious upbringing, yet still doesn't approve of her actions. This conversation is a wonderful way of highlighting the power dynamics between the genders of this era, and the conflicts within the same sex and class.