MRS. FORE. Well; and what use do you hope to make of this project? You don’t think that you are ever like to succeed in your design upon me?
SCAN. Yes, faith I do; I have a better opinion both of you and myself than to despair.
MRS. FORE. Did you ever hear such a toad? Hark’ee, devil: do you think any woman honest?
SCAN. Yes, several, very honest; they’ll cheat a little at cards, sometimes, but that’s nothing.
MRS. FORE. Pshaw! but virtuous, I mean?
SCAN. Yes, faith, I believe some women are virtuous too; but ’tis as I believe some men are valiant, through fear. For why should a man court danger or a woman shun pleasure?
MRS. FORE. Oh, monstrous! What are conscience and honour?
SCAN. Why, honour is a public enemy, and conscience a domestic thief; and he that would secure his pleasure must pay a tribute to one and go halves with t’other. As for honour, that you have secured, for you have purchased a perpetual opportunity for pleasure.
MRS. FORE. An opportunity for pleasure?
SCAN. Ay, your husband, a husband is an opportunity for pleasure: so you have taken care of honour, and ’tis the least I can do to take care of conscience.