August 4.—
Mrs. Gerrarde is a little
saucy monopolist; she grumbles if I do
not see her every day, and is downright
jealous of my intimacy with lady V—.
They are acquainted, but I don't find
there is a very close intercourse between
them: Mrs. Gerrarde says, her ladyship
is too good a housewife for her; and as
she is not very fond of needle-work herself,
she cannot endure people that are always
poring over a frame. I find indeed,
that this sprightly rogue is fonder of
cards than of work; she draws Mr. Arnold
and me in very often for a pool at
piquet: at her house I am obliged to submit;
but at my own, I often take up a
book, when she and Mr. Arnold are engaged
at their game, and make them decide
the contest between them. Nay, I threaten
that I will, some night or other, steal to-bed, and leave them; for she is unconscionable
at late hours; and as she lives very
near us, and keeps a chariot, she does
not scruple to go home at any hour of
the night. What a pity it is so amiable
a woman should be thus fondly attached
to so unprofitable an amusement! for I
begin to see play is her foible; though,
to do her justice, she never engages but for
very trifling sums, and that only in our
own little domestic way. But this passion
may grow upon her, and she may be
led unawares into the losing more than
her fortune can bear.
