The world then is very mean and selfish. I hope I never shall despise any one who is not vicious, and even those I have been taught to pity rather than blame. LADY JANE. You are _very_ good; but since we must submit to the general opinion, shall I desire the music master to inform the girl, whom we are speaking of, not to let us see her again in our company—or I shall decline coming. EMILIA. You may do as you please; but you must allow me to tell him that I do not concur with you.—I then made her a cool curtsy and withdrew. She wrote to the music master; but all the rest of the company insisted that he should not comply with such an unreasonable request, and deprive us of our best performer, who was in every respect a desirable companion. My mother took particular notice of the young lady in order to give her consequence, and told me, after she was gone, that she had not for a long time seen so modest and well educated a girl. So ended this foolish affair. My mother and I had a long conversation on the subject; I have not now time to repeat it, but she animadverted very severely on that foolish pride that makes people neglect to attain the real personal consequence which can only arise from virtue, and value themselves on the accidental advantages of birth, riches and external ornaments, which do not constitute the pre-eminence of a rational being. These cannot follow them to the grave. Farewell. Remember me in the kindest manner to your mother and little Annette. EMILIA. P. S. I opened this letter again to enclose a few lines to my brother. Emilia is a good girl, perhaps, he will say; I am sure I wish to appear so in his eyes. LETTER XXVIII. EMILIA _to_ CHARLES.