The things we do!

Here mamma, not
having money, perhaps, but metal more attractive, stakes her virgin
daughter against Count Fettacker's forests and meadows; or Lord Lackland
plays his coronet, of which the jewels have long since been in pawn,
against Miss Bags' three-per-cents. And so two or three funny little games
were going on at Baden amongst our immediate acquaintance; besides that
vulgar sport round the green table, at which the mob, with whom we have
little to do, was elbowing each other. A hint of these domestic
prolusions has been given to the reader in the foregoing extract from
Miss Ethel Newcome's letter: likewise some passions have been in play, of
which a modest young English maiden could not be aware. Do not, however,
let us be too prematurely proud of our virtue. That tariff of British
virtue is wonderfully organised. Heaven help the society which made its
laws! Gnats are shut out of its ports, or not admitted without scrutiny
and repugnance, whilst herds of camels are let in.


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