Which preposition to use with sportiveness

of Occurrences 4%

He could sometimes have recourse to the sportiveness of irony, but he did not often seek any other aid than was to be derived from an arranged and extensive knowledge of his subject.

in Occurrences 2%

Printed in the London Magazine, October, 1820, where it was preceded by these words: "To THE EDITOR "Mr. Editor,The riddling lines which I send you, were written upon a young lady, who, from her diverting sportiveness in childhood, was named by her friends The Ape.

Which preposition to use with  sportiveness