Brewer's: Teazle

(Lady). A lively, innocent country maiden, married to Sir Peter, who is old enough to be her father. Planted in the hotbed of London gaiety, she formed a liaison with Joseph Surface, but, being saved from disgrace, repented and reformed. (Sheridan: School for Scandal.) (See Townly.)

Teazle

(Sir Peter). A man who had remained a bachelor till he had become old, when he married a girl from the country, who proved extravagant, fond of pleasure, selfish, and vain. Sir Peter was always gibing his wife for her inferior rank, teasing her about her manner of life, and yet secretly liking what she did, and feeling proud of her. (Sheridan: School for Scandal.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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