Note 73 — Chapter V
Reading edition
The picture was exhibited at Spring Gardens in the year 1761, with the title of "Piquet, or Virtue in Danger," and is still in the collection of the nobleman for whom it was painted.
It may fairly be considered as a moral lesson against gaming. The clock denotes five in the morning. The lady has lost her money, jewels, a miniature of her husband, and the half of a £500 bank note, which, by a letter lying on the floor, she appears to have recently received from him. In fine, all is lost except her honour; and in this dangerous moment she is represented perplexed, agitated, and irresolute. A print of it has lately been finely engraved by Mr. Cheesman.