_Serv._ Madam, Lady Emily Gayville is in her carriage in the street, will your ladyship be at home? _Miss Als._ Yes, show her into the drawing room. [_Exit SERVANT._] I entreat, sir, you will keep a little more guard upon your passions; consider the dignity of your house, and if you must be cooing, buy a French figurante. [_Exit._ _Alscrip._ Well said, my lady countess! well said, quality morals! What am I the better for burying a jealous wife? To be chicken pecked is a new persecution, more provoking than the old one--Oh Molly! Molly!-- [_Exit._ SCENE II. _The Drawing Room._ _MISS ALTON, alone._ _Miss Alton._ What perplexing scenes I already meet with in this house? I ought, however, to be contented in the security it affords against the attempts of Heartly. I am contented--But, O Clifford! It was hard to be left alone to the choice of distresses. _Enter CHIGNON, introducing LADY EMILY._ _Chignon._ My Lady Emily Gayville--Madame no here! Mademoiselle, announce, if you please, my lady. _Lady E._ [_Aside._] Did my ears deceive me? surely I heard the name of Clifford--and it escaped in an accent!--Pray, sir, who is that? [_To CHIGNON._ _Chignon._ Mademoiselle Alton, confidante of my lady, and next after me in her suite. [_Examines her Head Dress impertinently. MISS ALTON with great modesty rises and puts her Work together._ _Lady E._ There seems to be considerable difference in the decorum of her attendants. You need not stay, sir. _Chignon._ [_As he goes out._] Ma foi, sa tête est passable--her head may pass. _Lady E._ [_Aside._] How my heart beats with curiosity! [_MISS ALTON having disposed her things in her Work Bag, is retiring with a Courtesy._] Miss Alton, I am in no haste. On the contrary, I think the occasion fortunate that allows me to begin an acquaintance with a person of so amiable an appearance. I don't know whether that pert foreigner has led me into an error--but without being too inquisitive, may I ask if you make any part of this family? _Miss Alton._ Madam, I am under Miss Alscrip's protection: I imagine I am represented as her dependent: I am not ashamed of humble circumstances, that are not the consequences of indiscretion. _Lady E._ That with such claims to respect you should be in any circumstances of humiliation, is a disgrace to the age we live in. _Miss Alton._ Madam, my humiliation (if such it be) is just. Perhaps I have been too proud, and my heart required this self-correction. A life of retired industry might have been more pleasing to me; but an orphan--a stranger--ignorant and diffident, I preferred my present situation, as one less exposed to misrepresentation. [_Bell rings._] I can no longer detain Miss Alscrip from the honour of receiving your ladyship.