Lord _Town._ Death! Madam, what law has made these liberties less scandalous in a wife, than in an unmarried woman? Lady _Town._ Why, the strongest law in the world, custom----custom time out of mind, my Lord. Lord _Town._ Custom, Madam, is the law of fools: but it shall never govern me. Lady _Town._ Nay, then, my Lord, 'tis time for me to observe the laws of prudence. Lord _Town._ I wish I could see an instance of it. Lady _Town._ You shall have one this moment, my Lord; for I think, when a man begins to lose his temper at home; if a woman has any prudence, why----she'll go abroad 'till he comes to himself again. [_Going._ Lord _Town._ Hold, Madam--I am amazed, you are not more uneasy at the life we lead! You don't want sense; and yet seem void of all humanity: for, with a blush I say it, I think, I have not wanted love. Lady _Town._ Oh! don't say that, my Lord, if you suppose I have my senses. Lord _Town._ What is it I have done to you? what can you complain of? Lady _Town._. Oh! nothing in the least: 'Tis true, you have heard me say; I have owed my Lord _Lurcher_ an hundred pounds these three weeks----but what then?----a husband is not liable to his wife's debts of honour, you know,----and if a silly woman will be uneasy about money she can't be sued for, what's that to him? as long as he loves her, to be sure she can have nothing to complain of. Lord _Town._ By heaven, if my whole fortune thrown into your lap, could make you delight in the chearful duties of a wife, I should think myself a gainer by the purchase. Lady _Town._ That is, my Lord, I might receive your whole estate, provided you were sure I would not spend a shilling of it. Lord _Town._ No, Madam; were I master of your heart, your pleasures would be mine; but different as they are, I'll feed even your follies to deserve it----Perhaps you may have some other trifling debts of honour abroad that keep you out of humour at home----at least it shall not be my fault, if I have not more of your company----There, there's a bill of five hundred----and now, Madam---- Lady _Town._ And now, my Lord, down to the ground I thank you----Now am I convinc'd, were I weak enough to love this man, I should never get a single guinea from him. [_Aside._ Lord _Town._ If it be no offence, Madam---- Lady _Town._ Say what you please, my Lord; I am in that harmony of spirits, it is impossible to put me out of humour. Lord _Town._ How long then in reason do you think that sum ought to last you? Lady _Town._ Oh, my dear, dear Lord! now you have spoiled all again! How is it possible I should answer for an event, that so utterly depends upon fortune? But to shew you that I am more inclined to get money, than to throw it away----I have a strong prepossession, that with this five hundred, I shall win five thousand.