Lord _Town._ Madam, if you were to win ten thousand, it would be no satisfaction to me. Lady _Town._ O! the churl! ten thousand! what! not so much as wish I might win ten thousand!----Ten thousand! O! the charming sum! what infinite pretty things might a woman of spirit do, with ten thousand guineas! O' my conscience, if she were a woman of true spirit--she--she might lose 'em all again. Lord _Town._ And I had rather it should be so, Madam; provided I could be sure, that were the last you would lose. Lady _Town._ Well, my Lord, to let you see I design to play all the good housewife I can; I am now going to a party of _Quadrille_, only to piddle with a little of it at poor two guineas a fish, with the Dutchess of _Quiteright_. [_Exit Lady ~Townly~._ Lord _Town._ Insensible creature! neither reproaches, or indulgence, kindness or severity, can wake her to the least reflection! Continual licence has lull'd her into such a lethargy of care, that she speaks of her excesses with the same easy confidence, as if they were so many virtues. What a turn has her head taken?----But how to cure it----I am afraid the physic must be strong that reaches her----Lenitives, I see, are to no purpose----take my friend's opinion----_Manly_ will speak freely----my sister with tenderness to both sides. They know my case----I'll talk with 'em. _Enter a Servant._ _Serv._ Mr. _Manly_, my Lord has sent to know, if your Lordship was at home. Lord _Town._ They did not deny me? _Serv._ No, my Lord. Lord _Town._ Very well; step up to my sister, and say, I desire to speak with her. _Serv._ Lady _Grace_ is here, my Lord. [_Exit Serv._ _Enter Lady ~Grace~._ Lord _Town._ So, Lady fair; what pretty weapon have you been killing your time with! Lady _Grace._ A huge folio that has almost killed me--I think I have half read my eyes out. Lord _Town._ O! you should not pore so much just after dinner, child. Lady _Grace._ That's true, but any body's thoughts are better than always one's own, you know. Lord _Town._ Who's there? _Enter Servant._ Leave word at the door I am at home to nobody but Mr. _Manly_. Lady _Grace._ And why is he excepted, pray, my Lord? Lord _Town._ I hope, Madam, you have no objection to his company? Lady _Grace._ Your particular orders upon my being here, look, indeed, as if you thought I had not. Lord _Town._ And your Ladyship's enquiry into the reason of those orders, shews, at least, it was not a matter indifferent to you! Lady _Grace._ Lord! you make the oddest constructions, brother! Lord _Town._ Look you my grave Lady _Grace_----in one serious word--I wish you had him. Lady _Grace._ I can't help that. Lord _Town._ Ha! you can't help it! ha! ha! The flat simplicity of that reply was admirable! Lady _Grace._ Pooh! you teize one, brother!