Lady Grace. Why, that, indeed, is enough to make a woman of spirit look about her!
Lady Town. Nay, but to be serious; my Dear; what would you really have a woman do in my case?
Lady Grace. Why——If I had a sober husband as you have, I would make myself the happiest wife in the world by being as sober as he.
Lady Town. O! you wicked thing! how can you teize one at this rate? when you know he is so very sober, that (except giving me money) there is not one thing in the world he can do to please me! And I at the same time, partly by nature, and partly, perhaps, by keeping the best company, do with my soul love almost every thing he hates! I dote upon assemblies! my heart bounds at a ball; and at an Opera——I expire! then I love play to distraction! Cards inchant me! and Dice—put me out of my little wits! Dear! dear Hazard! oh! what a flow of spirits it gives one! do you never play at hazard, child?
Lady Grace. Oh! never! I don't think it fits well upon women; there is something so masculine, so much the air of a rake in it! you see how it makes the men swear and curse! and when a woman is thrown into the same passion——why——
Lady Town. That's very true! one is a little put to it, sometimes, not to make use of the same words to express it.
Lady Grace. Well——and, upon ill luck, pray what words are you really forc'd to make use of?
Lady Town. Why upon a very hard case, indeed, when a sad wrong word is rising, just to one's tongue's end, I give a great gulp——and swallow it.
Lady Grace. Well——and is not that enough to make you forswear play, as long as you live?
Lady Town. O yes! I have forsworn it.