_Sir Pet._ I am glad you have so good a memory. Yes, madam, these were the recreations I took you from; but now you must have your coach--_vis-a-vis_--and three powdered footmen before your chair; and, in the summer, a pair of white cats to draw you to Kensington Gardens. No recollection, I suppose, when you were content to ride double, behind the butler, on a docked coach-horse. _Lady Teaz._ No--I vow I never did that: I deny the butler and the coach-horse. _Sir Pet._ This, madam, was your situation; and what have I done for you? I have made you a woman of fashion, of fortune, of rank--in short, I have made you my wife. _Lady Teaz._ Well, then, and there is but one thing more you can make me to add to the obligation, that is---- _Sir Pet._ My widow, I suppose? _Lady Teaz._ Hem! hem! _Sir Pet._ I thank you, madam--but don't flatter yourself; for, though your ill conduct may disturb my peace of mind, it shall never break my heart, I promise you: however, I am equally obliged to you for the hint. _Lady Teaz._ Then why will you endeavor to make yourself so disagreeable to me, and thwart me in every little elegant expense? _Sir Pet._ Madam, I say, had you any of these little elegant expenses when you married me? _Lady Teaz._ Sir Peter! would you have me be out of the fashion? _Sir Pet._ The fashion, indeed! what had you to do with the fashion before you married me? _Lady Teaz._ For my part, I should think you would like to have your wife thought a woman of taste. _Sir Pet._ Ay--there again--taste! Zounds! madam, you had no taste when you married me! _Lady Teaz._ That's very true, indeed, Sir Peter! and after having married you, I should never pretend to taste again, I allow. But now, Sir Peter, since we have finished our daily jangle, I presume I may go to my engagement at Lady Sneerwell's. _Sir Pet._ Ay, there's another precious circumstance--a charming set of acquaintances you have made there! _Lady Teaz._ Nay, Sir Peter, they are all people of rank and fortune, and remarkably tenacious of reputation. _Sir Pet._ Yes, they are tenacious of reputation with a vengeance; for they don't choose anybody should have a character but themselves! Such a crew! Ah! many a wretch has rid on a hurdle who has done less mischief than these utterers of forged tales; coiners of scandal, and clippers of reputation. _Lady Teaz._ What, would you restrain the freedom of speech? _Sir Pet._ Ah! they have made you just as bad as any one of the society. _Lady Teaz._ Why, I believe I do bear a part with a tolerable grace. _Sir Pet._ Grace, indeed! _Lady Teaz._ But I vow I bear no malice against the people I abuse; when I say an ill-natured thing, 'tis out of pure good humor; and I take it for granted they deal exactly in the same manner with me. But, Sir Peter, you know you promised to come to Lady Sneerwell's too. _Sir Pet._ Well, well, I'll call in, just to look after my own character.