It sounds better to be female.

You know...it is much more difficult to be female, I grant you that.

Especially in this country, in a city like this... it's very difficult to be a woman, to be female. To express your femininity, to be defiant with your femininity.

But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation.” Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she added, “Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable;