That may be, I have nothing to say against her character; but I repeat it, her father is an apothecary—her grandfather was an apothecary, and her— EMILIA. If you run on thus, Lady Jane, to the first of all our fathers, you will find that she is nearly related to you and me. LADY JANE. To you and me! EMILIA. Yes, certainly, you must allow that we are all sprung from the same father. LADY JANE. That is true, but let us talk seriously. EMILIA. I speak as seriously as I can. LADY JANE. It is not proper that a girl who has no fortune should force herself into the company of people of rank. EMILIA. Our company is not expensive, and she did not force herself; on the contrary her musical talents make her an acquisition to the concert. LADY JANE. But look at her dress. EMILIA. Her dress is certainly not rich, but neat and elegant. You may yourself perceive that she has good sense and taste, by the choice of her clothes; without servilely following the fashion, she avoids singularity. She is besides a very fine girl. Thus God, who gives riches to some, gives to others natural endowments, which many would purchase at a high price; all come from the same benevolent Being, in whose sight virtue only exalts a weak mortal. LADY JANE. Miss Grandison appears to be preaching a sermon. EMILIA. Forgive me if I do not coincide in opinion with you; my heart is too sincere to dissemble. LADY JANE. I shall not dispute about her natural gifts, but I say once more, that a girl who has no fortune ought not to be put on a par with people of rank and fashion. EMILIA. It would be very unfortunate that a girl, who had received a good education, should be deprived of every innocent pleasure because she has no fortune. I for my part would rather endeavour to contribute something to afford her the means to—— LADY JANE, _hastily_. Indeed you make me laugh. This is something rare, but that would not preserve her from the contempt which poverty brings with it. EMILIA. The contempt which poverty brings with it, say you! you astonish me. They must certainly be very unfeeling who can shew any contempt for a well educated person in low circumstances. Such a one I think deserves to be despised. LADY JANE. The world thinks otherwise, and I cannot mend the world. EMILIA.