Lady S. I see how it is well enough: the devil, the devil of ambition has tempted him—(going nearer him with great vehemence.) Did not I tell you that with prudence, and management, and economy, we should in the end amass a good fortune? but you must be in such a hurry to get rich!—O it would get the better of a saint's spirit to think how I have saved, and regulated, and laid down rules for my houshold, and that it should all come to this!—To have watched, and toiled, and fretted as I have done, and all to no purpose!—If I did not begrudge the very food that was consumed in the family!—If I did not try all manner of receipts that the wife of the meanest citizen would scarcely have thought of!—If I did not go a bargain hunting thro' every shop in London, and purchase damaged muslins even for my own wearing!—It is very hard—it is very hard indeed! (bursting into tears.) O it is enough to turn a woman's brains!
Sea. (starting np in a rage.) By heavens, madam, it is enough to turn a man's brains to think, that, in addition to the ruin I have brought upon myself and my children, I have taken to my bosom—I have set over their innocent heads, a hard-hearted, narrow, avaricious woman, whose meanness makes me contemptible, whose person and character I despise!—This, madam, the spirit of ambition, which you talk of, has tempted me to do, and for this, more than all his other malice, I will curse him!
