"A mistress should be like a little country retreat near the town, not to dwell in constantly, but only for a night and away"
- William Wycherley
About this Quote
In this quote, William Wycherley compares a mistress to a little country retreat near a town. Just as a retreat is not indicated to be a permanent house, a mistress must not be someone to continuously dwell with. Rather, she ought to only be gone to for a short time, like a night, before returning to one's routine life. This comparison suggests that a girlfriend should be a temporary escape from the responsibilities and expectations of society. It also indicates that a mistress ought to not be a long-lasting dedication, however rather a fleeting extravagance. Wycherley's words reflect the societal standards and expectations surrounding adulterous affairs during his time.
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