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of twice the value: Not but that a Jewel now and then by the by, is a pretty Provocative; but however a setled Quarteridge is necessary.
Lad. Dor. I protest you are a very Learned Person.
Sir Toby. Besides the standing Pension, there must be an allowance too for Extraordinaries: for Example; for Bills at Court, and publick appearances of that kind. At such times, I say, the Courtiers will give themselves to the Devil for a little money, especially in hard times, when Salaries are ill paid.
Lad. Dor. Sir Toby you have convinc'd me; but yet there remains a main Point to be consider'd, which is, how to impose upon the Town. This Town is a prying malicious place; as long as the Town do's not talk, our Honour is safe; and as long as our Honour is safe, there's no harm done: for 'tis a receiv'd Maxim among us Ladies, That 'tis the Talk, and not the Intrigue, that's the Crime.
Sir Toby. The way to keep the Town Civil, is to be openly Scandalous and Lewd. We never talk out of Aversion to the Guilty, but Spight to the Innocent; and care not to expose those who do Ill, but defame those who do Well. Believe me, the only way to gain an ill Reputation, is to live Chaste; the Town abhors Modesty and Vertue, but Impudence and Vice are its inseparable Companions: Be as wicked as you please, the Town will never expose a Friend.
Enter Page.
Page. There's below a young Gentleman desires to speak with Sir Toby.
Sir Toby. I come instantly———
'Tis our Spark, Madam—I'll go down to him, and keep him in discourse 'till you are quite ready.
