Now fancy, he said, was sometimes nice, humorous, and fantastic, which is the reason we so often love those of no merit, and despise those that are most excellent; and sometimes fancy guides us to like neither; he used to say, women were like misers, though they had always love in store, they seldom cared to part with it, but on very good interest and security, _cent per cent_ most commonly, heart for heart at least; and for security, he said, we were most times too unconscionable, we asked vows at least, at worst matrimony--’ Half angry, _Sylvia_ cried--’And what is all this to my loving again?’ ‘Oh madam,’ replied _Antonet_, ‘he said a woman was like a gamester, if on the winning hand, hope, interest, and vanity made him play on, besides the pleasure of the play itself; if on the losing, then he continued throwing at all to save a stake at last, if not to recover all; so either way they find occasion to continue the game.’ ‘But oh,’ said _Sylvia_ sighing, ‘what shall that gamester set, who has already played for all he had, and lost it at a cast?’ ‘O, madam,’ replied _Antonet_,’.he young and fair find credit every where, there is still a prospect of a return, and that gamester that plays thus upon the tick is sure to lose but little; and if they win it is all clear gains.’ ‘I find,’ said _Sylvia_, ‘you are a good manager in love; you are for the frugal part of it.’ ‘Faith, madam,’ said _Antonet_, ‘I am indeed of that opinion, that love and interest always do best together, as two most excellent ingredients in that rare art of preserving of beauty. Love makes us put on all our charms, and interest gives us all the advantage of dress, without which beauty is lost, and of little use. Love would have us appear always new, always gay, and magnificent, and money alone can render us so; and we find no women want lovers so much as those who want petticoats, jewels, and all the necessary trifles of gallantry. Of this last opinion I find you yourself to be; for even when _Octavio_ comes, on whose heart you have no design, I see you dress to the best advantage, and put on many, to like one: why is this, but that even unknown to yourself, you have a secret joy and pleasure in gaining conquests, and of being adored, and thought the most charming of your sex?’ ‘That is not from the inconstancy of my heart,’ cried _Sylvia_, ‘but from the little vanity of our natures.’ ‘Oh, madam,’ replied _Antonet_, ‘there is no friend to love like vanity; it is the falsest betrayer of a woman’s heart of any passion, not love itself betrays her sooner to love than vanity or pride; and madam, I would I might have the pleasure of my next wish, when I find you not only listening to the love of _Octavio_, but even approving it too.’ ‘Away,’ replied _Sylvia_, in frowning, ‘your mirth grows rude and troublesome--Go bid the page wait while I return an answer to what his lord has sent me.’ So sitting at the table she dismissed _Antonet_, and writ this following letter.