Cecilia, Or, Memoirs of an Heiress

Google

This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project

to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.

Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the

publisher to a library and finally to you.

Usage guidelines

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.

+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.

+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe.

About Google Book Search

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web

at |http: //books .google .com/I

I; Google

^T^OglC

L; Google

L> Google

L> Google

-e^^/^/z •

HC_M

I, Google

CECILIA,

MEMOIRS

OF AK ^

HEIRESS.

B Y

THE AUTHOR OF EVELINA.

The. FIFTH EDITIOH.

IN FIVE VOLUMES.

VOL. IV

LONDON:

Printed for T. Payne and Sow at the .Mem-Gat^

and T. Cadsli. in the Strand.

USJCCUtXXVl.

Google

L; Google

CECILIA.

BOOK yii,

CHAPTER I.

A Letter.

ASToon as Mrs. Charlton was acquainted
with the departure of young Delvile,
ftie returned to Cecilia, impatient to be in-
formed what had pafled. Tlie narration (he
heard both hurt and adonifhed her ; that Ce-
cilia, the hcirefs of fuch a fortune, the poiTef-
for of fo much beauty, defcended of a worchy
familv, and formed and educated to grace
a noble one, fl-iould be rejefled by people to
whom her wealth would be mod ufcful, and
only in fecrct have their alliance propofed to
her, ftie deemed an indignity that called for
nothing but rtfentment, and approved and
enforced the rcfoluiion of her young friend to
refill all fulicitaiions which Mr. and Mrs.
Delvile did not fccond themfclvcs.

A a About

4 CECILIA.

About two hours after DelrUe wm gonCf
his letter arrived. Cecilia opened it with tre<
picUtion, and read as follows :

To Miss Bevbrlbv.

September ao, 1779.

What could be the apprehenfions, the fuf-
picions of Mifs Beveriey, when-fo earneftly (he
prohibited my writing? From a temperfo un-
guarded as mine, could ihe fear any fubclety
of dofirine ? Is my chirafter Co little knowri
to her, that fiie can think me capable of crafc
or duplicity i Had I even the defire, I have
neither the addrefs nor the patience to praffifc
them ; no, iovelieft Mifs Beverley, though
jbmetimes by vehemence 1 may incautiouQy
offend, by fophiftry, believe me, 1 never Ihall
injure : my ambition, as I have told you, is
to convince, not beguile, and my arguments .
fhall be fimple as my profelfions (hall be fin-
cere.

Yet how again may I venture to mention a
propofal wh ich fo lately almolt before you had
heard you rgefted ? Suffer me, however, to
affure ypu it refulted neither from infenfibiHty
to your delicacy, nor to my own duty ; I
made it, on the contrary, with that reluS:ance
and timidity which were given me by an ap-
prehenfion thac both feemed to be offended by
it:— but alas! already I have faid what With,
grief i muft repeat, 1 have 00 refourcc, no al-
ternative.

ai E C I L I A, y

ffPMtifV^' ben^ti rMciving the honour of
y^ur'hand iirfecret or foregoing yoa for over.

You will wonder, you may weil wOnd« at
fuch a declaration ; and again that ievere re-
nunciation with which you wounded mCj will
tremble on your lips.— Oh, there Ice it flop!
not' let the air again be agitated with founds
fadifcorduM 1

lii;that.cruel and heartrbreaking moment
when J tore myrelffromyou atDelvile-Caftle*
LcdsftfledteyQii thereafonofmy flight, and
I'^etcumined to ice you no more. I named
imc:ld>you^ then, my farraly, the potency of
rrtyiivnok^cflioQs agaijift daring to folicic <
]Miarffitvour».rendering theirs immaterial: my
ownnare nowiwholly rer^Mved, — but theirs
x^munia. full force.
LMyfMhertdefceadedofarace which though,
deca^g in wealfii, i& unAibdved in pride,
ewi^dcri bimielfaK^thfi guardian of the honour-.
ofi:his..hDu&, to which he holds the name of
his anccftors infeparably annexed ; my mo-
thsrbom of the fame family, and bred to the
ijone ideas, has. tirengtbened this opinion bf
giving icthe fanfiion of her own.

Suoh being their fentiments, you will not,
onadam, be nirprifed that their only fon, the-
jole inheritor of their fortune, and fole objeA
of.-tbnr. CKpeftationSj fliontd early hare ad-
mitted the fame. Indeed almoft the firft lef-
ioQ"! was caught was that of reverencing the
family frcun which 1 am 'defccnded, and the.
A J name

6 CECILIA.

name to which I am born. I was bid confidcr
myfelf as. its only remaining fupport, and fc-
dutoufiy inftrufted neither to aa nor think
bat with a view, to its aggrandizement and
dignity.

Thus, unchecked by ourfeives, and un-
rontroled by the world, this haughty felf-
iniportance acquired by time a ftrcngth, and
by mutual encouragement a firmnefs, which
Mifs Beverley alone could poffibly, 1 believe,
have IhakcB 1 What, therefore, was my fecrec
alarm, when iirft J was confcious of the force
of her attraflions, and found my mind wholly
occupied with admiration of her excellencies J
All that pride could dei^iand, and all to which
ambition could afpire,all that happinefs could
covet, or the moft fcrupulous dtlicacy cxa£l,
in her I found united ; and while my heart
nas enflaved by her charms, my underftand- '

ing exulted in its fetters. Yet to forfeit:

my name, to give up for ever a family which
upon me reRed -its lateft expectations, — '—
Honour, I thought, forbad it, propriety and
manly fpirit revolted at the facrifice. The
renunciation of my birth-right feemed adefer-
tion of the pod in which 1 was ftationed/: I
forbore, therefore, even in my wilhes, to fo-
licil your favour, and vigoroufly determined
-to Ry you as dangerous to my peace, becaufti -
unattainable without dilhonour.
■ Such was the intended regulatioa of my
condudat the time I received Biddulph's let-
ter:

C; E, C I L I A. 7

t^t, : , m three days I was to leave England ;
TdyUtbcT, with much pcrfuafion, had coft-
fffntcci to my departure j my mother, who pe-
netrated into my motires, had never oppbfed
it : but how great was the change wroughe
tjpon my mind by reading that letter! my
fteadinels forlbok me, my refolucion wavered;
yet I thougtit him deceived, and attributed his
fufpicions to jealotjfy ': but ftiili Fidelle I
knew was mifTing — and to hear he was your

darling companion was itpofiible.to qirit

England in a ftate of fiich uncertainty? to be
harrafled in diftant climates with conjeflurea
] might then never fatisfy? No; I told my
friends I muft vifn Biddulph before I left the
Itingdom, and prpmifing to return to them in
three or four days, I haftily fet out for Suf-
folk, and refted not till 1 arrived ac Mrs.
Charlton's. " ■ . ■:

What a fcene there awaited me 1 to behotd.
'the loved miftrefs of my heart, the oppofed,
'yet refiftlefsobjeft of my fondeft admiration,
"carefling an animal (he knew to be mine,
rripurningOTcr him his mailer's ill health, and
fw'ectly recommending to him fidelity.— —
; Ah ! forgive the retrofpcftion, I will dwdll
on it no longer. Little, indeed, had I ima-

finedwith what foftnefs the dignity of Mifs
everley was blended, though alirays con-
' fcious that her virtues, her attrafiiions, and
her excellencies,, would refleftluftreupon the
htgbell llation to which human grandeurcould
A 4 laife

Civ.MnGooglc

» CECILIA.

ratft b^r^i mi. vroxxld Mil he mtte n$lM
tb«Rhet-raflkftliQiigb«hstwere:dtenrK^emi'<

jient open earth. — And bad than been *■
thoufand, eid ten tlura&i^ obftacles m op-
poie my addvcffing htn Ttgoroufly and un*
daontddJy wduld 1 have caniijatcd with then*
all, in preference to yieldjog to this fingle ob-
je6ion#

Let hot tHe frankncfe of this declaratton
irnsftteyov, butrathezlet it fcire to conrince
you of the fmccntj of what follows : varioui
as- are the calamities of life which may ren-
da- mt mifeiable, YOU only, among eren
its cbdfen felicities, have power to make hm
happy, Fanrie, honours, wealth, ambttjcxt,
weic infuScient without you ; all chance of
internal peacej smd every ftrfter hope k now ■
cemcred in- jiour -favour, and to lofe you, from
whatever caufe, enfures me wretchedncis uiw -^
mitigated.

(With refpe£t, therefore to myfelf, the die '
is fin&Uy caft, and the conflict between bofem
felicity and family pride is deliberately over;'
This nanDc which fo vainly I have cherifhcd
2nd fo paiinfutly fupported, I now find ina^
daquatc to recompenfe me for the facrifice
which its^efervation requires. I part with
it^-I own,- with regret chat the furrenderjs
neceflkryi yet it is rather an imaginary than '
ZTi-stSiu^ ««vil, and-Ghough a deep wound to
pi^dt^ no offence to morality.

Thus-

i; Google

a B c 1 L I A; 9

t)iE%M» Hwff- 1 Uld Apen to ywt my whole
hfifutt xoafeSk^ my perplexities, acknow-
ledged rmf- ?a,ifHgloc)i, and expo&d, wicft
eq^hfincaritif the fources'(^'myd«ubtSi and
t^' motives ,of my deciifion : but now, in-
4Qedf how to-proceed I know not; the dif-
fia\Aw9 -which are yet to cnc0wrter ] fear to
enumerate, and the petition I have to irge I
bwe ftarcecourage to mefl«ion.-

Myfamily, midokisg ambitioti for honour,
aod rank for dignity, have long [banned a
fpUndid connexion for me, to which though.
n^, invariable repugnance has ftopt any ad-
VKEtees, their wiihes and their views immov-
abjiyj^dhetie. I am but coo cepiain- they will
nSw liften to no other. X dread» thefcforci
to jnake a trial where 1 dcfpai^ ef fucceft j I
know not how to rifk a prayer wkh thofc who
magr.niencemeby a command. . . '. '

In a fituation fo defperace, what then re-^
owns? MuCt i make an application with a
eeiCiUnty of rejeftion, and tiien mock aUA au'
thomy by ading in defiance of it ? Or, har-*
dcr Mflt yec.! rejinquilh my tteareft hopes
whenno longer porfuaded of thei)-improprie-
ly i Ak ! fwceteft Mift Beverley, end the
ftn'*88ls*t.onccl My happinefs, my pcace^
are wholly in your power, for the mwnent of
owe yflion fecures them for life.

ijc m^y feem to you ftrange that I fhould
thas puFpofc to brave the friends whom I vcn- ■
luM sit iD.entrcatiJbut f{Qm.mykaQwlcdge
. A 5 of

■c4iz=.JnGooglc

I* C E C I t . I A.

of tirfif chara^rs and ftrntimenisi I ftmicete,
tain I have no other relburc«. •Tbcii'iayoAi-
rice principles were too eadjriitihtbed Eo/be
now at this latefeafon eradicated. Slaves thac
we all are to habits, and dupes toappear-
ances, jealotis guardians of our pride, to
which our comfort isfacrificcd, andeveaour'
▼iltu^nniade fubfervient, what convidion can
be offered by reafon, to notions that aa& but
bypriyudice? They have been cheri(hed too
long for rhetoric to remove them, they can
only be expelled by all-powerful necefiity.
Life is, indeed, too brief, and fuccefs too
precarious, to truft, in any cafe where hap-
pincfs is concerned, the extirpation of deep-
rooted and darling opinions, to the flow- work"
ing influence of argument and difquifition.

Yet bigotted as they are to rank and ^mily,
they adore Mifs Beverley, and though their
content to the forfeiture of their name might
for-ever be denied, when once they beheld her
riK head and ornament of their houfe, h«r
elegance and accomplifhments, joined to.the
^lendour of her fortune, would fpeedily
make them forget the plans which now whol-
ly abfwb them. Their fenfe of honour is in
nothing inferior to their fenfe of high birth }
your offindefcenlion, therefore, would be f«k
by them in its fullell force, and though, du-
ring their firft furprife, theymight be irritated
againft their fon, they would make it the
fiudy of their livesj thatthe lady who for him
bad

tJiv.MnGooglc

C EC I L I ;A.. IJ ;

had^-doneIfo'Ynuch>.flinuld aensg throu^
thwmcWwU repine for herfclf.,

^•WsEh^rirgard to fntilemfiits," the privacy jrf--
odr' union would not aiFc£t them : one conr •
fiderit vfe moft unavoidably ■ ti^ft» and X-;
>wouId deporite in the hands of whatever per"-:
'fan you' would name, a-' boud.by which I
would engage myfclf to feitU both your for-
tune and my own, according to the arbiira--
tion of our mutual friends. ;

■ -The lime for fecrecy, though painful, would,
be fhort, and even from the aliar, if you de-!
fired it, I would haften to DclvileCaftle,.
Not one of my friends fhould you fee till they,
waited upon you tbcmfelyes to .folicit your,
ppefence at their hoofe, till our Tefidence*
elfewhere was fixed. ,• ^

. '" Oh, lovelicft. Cecilia, from a dream of a
happinefs fo fweet awaken me not I ~ firom »
plan of felicity fo attraiftive tur^i not away I
It-one part of it is unpleafant,., rcjcd nob
, fhCrefewe all i and fince without fome draw-*
bMk tio earthly blifs is attainable, do.pot, by^
d(«eftnemeni too fcropulous for the (hort pc-t
riod' of our exiftence, deny yourfelf that de-*
Kght which your benevolence will afford you,
irt thatching from the pangs of unavailing
il*gret'aftd mifery, the gratefulleft of men in
the ■

'V'-"- humbleft and moft demoted ,

"'■ ■ of youf fervants,

Mortimer Delvile.

■ - . A 6 ■ ■ CecHta

irf' C- E 'C 'I 'L -I !A.>

■'CfciIialreW and re-read -tWslttrtr.bulwith
«. perturbation of mind that rtiade her liitlc.
is contents. Par-agfaiph ■ by
itiments varifedj and' her de-
changed : the earneftncfs of
now loftcned her into com-
lowledgcd pride (jf his ftmii
her into refentment, and the
own regret now fickened her
c. ■ She meant in an imme-
ave written a final difmiffionj
but'thtiugh proof againft his entreaties, be-
caufe not convinced by his arguments, there
was fomethirig tn the contlufion of hialetwr
that ftaggered her refolution.
■ Thorc fcruples and that refinement againft'
which he. warned her, fhe herfelf thought
rfiightbeovcrftrained, and-to gratify unneCftf-
firy punflilio, the Ihort period of exiftence be
rendered caufclefsly unhappy. He had tmly
faid that their union would be rto dffence to
ilibrality i and with refpeft merely to pride,
■tthjr ftiould that he fpared ? He knew he pof-
ftfled'her heart, fht had long been certain of
his, her charafter had early gained the aSbc-
tion of his mother, and the effential ferricc
which an income fuch as her's muft do the fa-
mily, would foon be feh too powerfullyco
make her connexion with it regretted.

Thefi^ reflexions were lb pleafant fhe knew

not. how to difcard them j and the confciouf-

neft that her ftcret was betrayed not only to

himfcl^

C E C I L- 1 A. rj

hiinlel^ buttab
Ij»(J)r Honoria Pci
^t'cthnn additic
bable ihe was ^t

But ftill.hcr c
revolted ag»oft a
cy fecmcd toimp
ffaall I meet Mrs.
aa a£lioD fo cluu
fuch as (be has b
fcYtxity of htr e
feductd from hei

A Con wjio is the fole iblace and firft hope of
her exiftence, whofc virtues make all her hap*
pinefs, and whofe filial piety is. her. only, glo-'
ty- Ir— And well may flie glory in a fon fuM ar
Dclnle! NobJy has he exerted himfelfiri
fltuatioos the. moll difficult, his family and
-his^ideas of hoTiour he has preferred to his
peace and health, he has fulfilled with fpiric
(and-int^rity the various, the confltfting do-
tMB'of life. Even now> perhaps, in his pre-
-Seos. application, he may merely think bim-
•Sf\( bound by knowing me no longer free, and
■hift^geoetous lenfibility to. the weaknefs he
<iua difcovered, without any of the convic-
ttoa BO which he pretends, may have occ^-
•'£oncd- this propofal !"

A fbggeftion fo mortifying again changed
herdetermiQation ; and the tears of Henrietta
BelBeld, with the letter which fhc had fucpri-
' &d in her haod recurring to her memory, alf

L ...I, Google

14 CECIL! A.-

her thoughts turned once more upon jlejefti '
ipg him for ever. ' ' 'J-'"-

In this fluftuating ftate of nfrind (hefourid
writing imprafticable ; while uncertain what
to wifh, to decide was impofllble. She dif--
dained coquetry,' Ihe was fuperior to trifling-,
the candour and opennefs of Dclvile had me-
"rited all herfincerity, and therefore while any
doubt remained with herfclf, (he held it un-
worthy her character to tell him fhe had none.

Mrs. Charlton, upon reading the letter, be-
came again the advocate of Delvile ; the
franknefs with which he had ftated his diffi-
culties, aBured her of his probity, and by ex-
plaining his former conduft, fatisfied her
with the rtititude .■of his future intentionst
« Do not, therefore, my dear child," cried
fhe, *' become the parent of your own mifery,
by refufing him ; he deferves you alike from
his principles and his affeftion, and the talk
would both be long and melancholy to difen-
gage him from your heart. I fee not, how-
c-ver, the leaft occafion for the difgrace of a
private marriage; I know not any family to
which you would not be an honour, and thofe
who feel not your merit, are little worth plea--
fing. ' Let Mr. Delvile, therefore, apply
openly to his friends, and if they.refufe their
confent, be their prejudices their reward.
You are freed from all obligations where caw
price only can raife objections, and you trtay
thcHi;

I; Google

C.E C I L I A. 15

thfij^i^k tbg-f^e; of xhc.woild. vindicate your
choice.** , .

^hj^-.wUbe^,?^. Cecilia accorded with, this
aavicc>,tjh,9Ugfi the general tenour of Del-
vifc's letKr gave her Tittle reafon to expert he
would follow ic

: ^ A P. n.

A Discussion.

'X* H E day paft away, and Cecilia had
yet written no anfwer-, the evening
came, and her refolution was Hill unBxed.
I>clvile, at length, was again announced j and
though (he dreaded trufting hcrfelf to his
entreaties, the necelTity of haftcning fome
deciGon deterred her from refufing to fee
hj|m.

R^rs. Charlton was with her when he en-
t^-edthe room j he attempted at firft fome
general converfation, though the anxiety of
his mind was llrongly pictured upon his face.
Cecilia endeavoured alfo to talk upon com*
mon _topicfi, though her evident embarraff-
ni^nt-fpoke the abfcnce of her thoughts.

, Delyile at length, unable any longer to

bcar< fufpence, turned to Mrs. Charlton, and

faid,

D5i,.=.JnGooglc

i6 C E C I .L I A.

faid,,"You art; probably aoquBuite^* ,|1D»-. >
dam, with the purport of the letter I had tho .
hohoar of fending, to Mifs BevcrJey. this .
morning f" '.

- '^ Yfs, Sir," anfwered the olti.Udy, 'faod ■
you need defire little more than that her.Qf»*
rion of it may be as favourable as mine."

Delvile bowed and thanked her; and look-
ing at Cecilia, to' whom he ventured not to
fpeak, he perceived in her countenance a
mixture ofdejafttDn and coofufion, that told .
him whatever might be her opinion, it had,
by no means encreafed her happinefs.

" But why. Sir," faid Mrs. Charlton,
" (hould you be thus fure of the difappro-
bation of your friends? had you, not pttter
hear what they have to fay?"

" 1 know, madam, what they have to fay,". _,
returned. he} "for their language and. their
principles have been invariable from my ,
birth: to apply to them, therefore, for »
concelTion which 1 am certain they will AOt -
gr_ant, were only a cruel device to lay all Off ;
mifery to their account."

" And if they are fo pcrverfe, they do«
ferve from you nothing better," faid JMrs, ■
Charlton i "fpeak to them, however; you
will then have done your, duty j and if th^ ..
are obftinately linjiid, you will have acquired
a right to aft for yourfelf." . i,.-.,

" To mock their authority," anfwcr^4,' '
Pclvile, " wguld be more oireiin.ve .than %q. ,.,,
' oppofe

■ "•" '■"'■\

C'E CI LI A. If

opj^'jf'^ t0 Iblictt thcif approbatidD, arid
thei/ a<^ in defiance of it, might juftly pro-
vbke theii* ihdigttation.-^No J ifatlaftlam
redwfcd to appeal to tbem, by their decifion
I miift abide;

Tct this M[%. Charlton' could make no .
anfvrer, and in a few minutes ilie lefl the
room.

■«* And is fach, alfo," faid Delvile, " the
opioion of Mifs Beverley ? has ffic doomed
mb to be wt^cchedj and does Ihe wifh thitt
dddm to be figncd by my nearcft friends!"'

" If your friends, Sir," faid Cecilia, "are
fo^utidoubtedty inflexible, it were n\adnef$»
upon any plan, to rifle their dirpleafure.'" .

"To entreaty,** he anfwered, " they will
be infiexiblci but not to foi^iTCrtefs. My '
father, though haughty^ dearly, even paflTion- ■
ateiy lores mi ; my mother, though high-
ff^tited, is juft, noble, and generous. She is,
indeedj the moftntaked of Women, andher
po*ier over niy mirtd I am unaccoftoimed to
relift. Mifs Beverley aloflc fcems bom to be
her daughtep— "

*^ No, no," interrupted Cecilia, **as her;
daughter flic rejefls me !"

"She loveis, Ihfc adorcjs'youl" cried hfc,
waAtilyi "and were I not certain (he feels'
yoo*^ cxcdlencies as they ought to be felt,
my veneration for you both fliouM even yet ■
fpare'ydu my pVcfcnt fupplicatioh. Bui yOu
would become, I am certain, the firll blelung ■

I Google

i8 C E C I L J A.

of her life ; in you (he would behold all «Jie
felicity of her fon, — his rcftoracion toheai|h». '
to his. country, to his-friends!"

." O Sir," cried Cecilia, with emotion,
" how deep a trench of real mifcry do y6u
fink, in order to raifc this pile of fancied hap-
pinefs I But I will not be refponfible for your
offending fuch a mother ; fcarcely can -you
honour lier ypurfelf more than I doj and I
here declare moll fulemnly — "

-*' O flop!" interrupted DelvJie, "and
refolve not till you have heard me. Would
you, were (he no more, were my father alfb
np more, would you yet perfift in refufing
me ?"

." Why (hould you alk me ?" fald Cecilia,
blufliing ; " you would then be your own
agent, apd perhaps — "

she hefitated, and Delvile vehemently ex*'
claimed, " Oh make me not a monfter !
force me not to defire the death of the very
beings by whom I live 1 weaken not the
bonds of a(reaion by which they are en-
deared to me, and compel me not towilh
them no more as the fole barriers to my h^-
pinefs !"

** Heaven forbid !" cried Cecilia ; " could
I believe you fo impious, I ftiould fuffiir
little indeed in defiring your eternal ab-
feuce."

" Why then only upon their extinftion
muft 1 reft my hope of your favour ?"

Cecilia,

C E CI L I A. 19

'Cdrflbi- feggcred' and diftrefled by rfiia
qiieftibn, cotjld make no anfwer. Delvilc,
perceiving her embairaffmetir, redoubled his
ufentcy; itid 'before (he had power to re-
Cdlted herfelf, fhe bad almoft confented to
htsr plan, when Henrietta Belfield rulhing in
hcf nietYiory, (he haftHy exclaimed, " One
doubt there is, which I know not how to
mention, but ought to have cleared up;—
you arc acquainted with— you remember
MHs Belfield ?"

"Certainly J but what of Mifs Belfield
that can raife a doubt in the' mind of Mifa
Beverley ?"

Cecilia cojoured, and was filent.

•* ly it poflible,*' continued he, " you
coirid ever for an inftantfuppofe — but I can-
not eren name a fuppofition fo foreign to all '
pb'fiibiiity."

" She is furely very amiable ?"
, " Tcs," anfwered he, " (he is innocent,
gentle, and engaging j and Iheartily wifh (he
were in a better fituatlon;"
-" Did you ever occafionally, or by any
ifccidenr, correfpond with her ?"

^' Never in my life."

*' And were not your vifils'to the brother
/mtiimes- — "

" Have a care," interrupted he, laughing,

" Je(t 1 reverfe the queftion, and afk'ifyour

■frifts (6'ihe fifl:ef were not Jometivtei for the

brother! But what does this meanf Could-

. Mifs

20 C E C I L I , A.

Milt Bt^verley imapne riut »/i«f.- Hfl&mng
her, the charms of Mifs BelBel4«Puld puD

Cecjli^, Wind in drlicaoy an^'Irif^ndAtip
not to betray the tcndw ,Bt*d tricing: Heit-;
rietta (llyr fatisfied pi bi^iinno-

cence iaefs, evaded anji iflfwerji

and V vc done witlj tlw.febJRflii

but I wholly to exculpate him--

fejr, t meuK difpleaTed at an enri

quiry d fo much mtueft. it) Mli.

afft^^ions, contiriued'h'ifrett|)laBatioh< : <

" Mift Bclfield has, 1 gram, aij attr«fl:iQni:
in the fimpticityof her manners whicH ckvdMi.
by its fjngujarity: her hcaft^ totfe feciHs jdt
purity, and her topper, ail roftnefs. 1 have
not, you find* been blind to her me»t ), .Q)>r>
the contrary* I ^ajve boihaitnairedwd^tiooi
her. Buc far indeed is (he removed fromiaU-
chance qf riVaUy in. her heart! A charafttr
fuchashers forawhil^ is irrcfiftably^Uuritigj
but, when its nowdty is ove',„fimpUcity,!un'»-
informed becomes' wcarifome, and foftne&v
wjthout dignity is too.indifcriminate.ta gttc
delight. We figh fbr entertainments "iwHcnr
cloyed by mere Iweetnefs i land heaviljE .drags
on the load of life.vithen the companionof
our focial hours wants fpirit, irKelligeilceti
apd cultivauon. With Mils Beverley all
thefe — "

" Talk, not of all thefe," cried Cecilia,
*' when one Angle obftacle has power tp ten- .
dcf xhem valuelefs."

" Buc

• G^ U d I L I A. fli

'»M'/Boe Tibifff' cried he, *• that obftaclc is
fiuvnbttnted.**

" Surmounted only for a moment! for
cvM'ifi'youi'^Lefter this mornirfgyou confefs
the regret with *hlch it fills yo"."

^'And whyfliould I decci
pret<»d to think Withpleafure
indifference, of an obCtacle «
thus long the power to make
£ilt wh^re is nappinefs withe
ptt(t& bIHs the conditiDn of h
if we refufe to tafte it till in it
refinement, how ftril the cup i
fnmvour lips ?"

" How indeed!" faid Cecilia, with a/igh j
"the regret, I believe, will remain eternally
upon your 'mind, and fhe, perhaps, who
iliould caufc, might fooA be taught to par-
take of it."

'? O Mifs Beverley! how have I merited
this feverity! did I make my propofals light-
ly? 'Did I fuffer my eagerncfs to conquer
niy<i<eafon? Have I not, on the contrary,
been fteady and considerate ; neither biafifed
by'palTion nor betrayed Jsy tenderncfs ?"
■ ' ■ .*f Artd yet in what," faid Cecilia, " con-
lifts this boaftcdfteadinefs? J perceived it in-
deed, at DelviK Caftle ; buthwe— ** ■

w The pride bf heart which ftipporKd
me there," cried he, *' will fupport me po
longer; what fuftained my firmncfs, but
yeup apparent feverity ? What enabled me

22 C E C I L I A.

to fly you, but your' invaritrhlc coUnefs ?
The rigour with which I trampkd w^woiny
feelings I thought fortitude and fpirit,— ibut
I knew not then the pitying fympatby'.Df
Cecilia!" : ;::.

".O that you knew it not. yet !'* cried the,
blufhiag; "before the fatal accident, you
thought of mc, I beliovc, in a manner ikr
more honourable,"

" Impoflible ! differently, I thought x)f
you, but never better, never fo well as now.
1 then reprefented you all lovely in beauty,
all perfe^ in goodnefs and virtue, but it.'was
virtue in its higheft majefty, not, a^.noWi
blended with the fofteft fcnfibility."

" Alas!" faid Cecilia, " how the portrait
is faded !"

" No, it is but more from the life: it. is
the fublimity of an angel, mingled with «J1
that is attrailive in woman, fiut who is the
friend we may venture to trull? To whom
may I give bond ? And from whom rrjay I
receive a treafure which for the reft of my life
wiir conftitute all its felicity ?"

*• Where can /," cried Cecilia, **find a
friend, who, in this Cfitlc^ moment} will in-
flruft me how to. aft !"

" You will find one,"-anfwered ht,.-".in
your own bofom : alk, but yourfclf this plain
queftion : will any virtue be offended by yoyr
honouring me, with your hand ?" , ;

" Yes; duty will be offended, fmce it is
contrary to the will of your parents,"

« But

.fV€ 'E C^ ILIA. 23

*«i^Ut is'lhcFe (10 thne for emancipation ?
.Ami-fMrt I of an age to choofe for myfelf the
partndrof' my life? Will not yon in a few
days bif 'the uncentrolled miftrefs of your
aflions ? -Are we nor both independeni ?
Your ample fortune all your own, and the
eftates of my father fo entailed, they tnuft
unavoidably be mine ?"

" And are thefe," faid Cecilia, "confide-
rations to fet us free from our duty?'*' :

** No, but they are circumftances to re-
I'reve us from flavery. Let me not offend you
if I am ftiJl more explicit. When no law,
human or divine, can be injured by our
union, when one motive of pride is all that
can be oppofed to a thoufand motives of con-
venience and happinefs, why fhould we htb
be made unhappy, merely left that pride
ihould lofe its gratification i"

This queftion, which fo often and fo an-
grily Ihe had revolved in her own mind, again
filenced her ; and Delvile, with the eagerncfs
of approaching fuccefs, redoubled his folici-
tations.

" Be mine," he cried, " fwceteft Cecilia,

and alt wilhgowell. To refer mc to myfriends

is, effeftually, to banifti me for ever. Sparc

.■ me, then, the unavailing tafkj and fave me

from the refiftlefs entreatie^of amother,whade

._ every defirc I have held facred, whofc wifti

' has been my law, and whofe commandsl hare

implicitly,

D5i,?=.JnGoog[e

■ «4 CECILIA.

implicitly, invariablyobeypdl Oh^geri^udy
favc mc from the dreadful alternative' of
wounding her maternal heart by a pererrtjrtibrT
refufal, or of torturing my own with 'pahgs
to which it is uneqiial by an extorted <H»edi-
cncc !"

" Alas V" cried Cecilia, " how utterly im-
pofiiblc I can relieve you !"

"And why f once mine, irrevocably
mine— — "

" No, that would but irritate, — and irri-
tate paft hope of pardon."

*• Indeed you are miftalien: to your merit
they are far from infenfible, and your fortune
is juft what they wifh. Trufl: me, therefore,
when I aOAjre you that their difpleafiire, which
both refpeft and jullice will guard them from
ever ihewing^yiw, will fopp die wholly away.
I fpcak not merely from my hopesj in judg-
ing my own friends, 1 confider human nature
in general. Inevitable evils arc ever bcft fup-
ported. It is fufpenfe, it is hope that make
the food of roifery: certainty is always en-
dured, becaufe known to be pad amendment,
, and felt to give defiance to ftrugglin^."

"Andean you," cried Cecilia, "withrea-
- Iboing fi) defperate be fatisBed V*

" In a fituation fo extraordinary as ours,**
anfwened be, " there is no other. The voice
of the world at Iwge mil be all in our favour,
.Our union aeither injures, our'fortunes, nor
. taints our morality : with the charader of each
, - the

■ CECILIA; 2-5

th(t-.0tber j« fMisfi:?di and both muH be alike
ex<;u,lpaccd from mercenary views of ititereft,
or romantic contemptof ppvercy; what right
have wc, then, to repine at an objedion which,
however potent, is fingle ? Surely none. Oh
jf wholly unchecked were the happinefs i now
have in view, if no foul rtonn fumetimes low-
ered over the profpeft, and for a moment
obfcured its brightnefs; how could ray hearc
find room for joy f* fuperlativei The whole
world might rite againft me, as the firtl man
in it who had nothing left to wilh \"

■ Cecilia, whofe own hopes aided this reafon-
ing, found not much to oppofe to it; and with
little more of entreaty, and ftil! Icfsof argu-
iTient, Dclvile at length obtained htrconfent
to his plan. Fearfully, indeed, and with :un-
feigned reluflance fhe gave it, but it was the
only alternative with a reparation forever^ to
which Jhe held not the fiecefiicy adequate to
the pain. .

The thanks of Delvile w*re as vehement
as had been his entreaties, which yet, how-
ever, were not at an end ; the concefiion flic
had made was imperfed, unlcfs its perform-
ance were irnmediate, and he now endeavour-
ed to prevail with her to be his before the
expiration of a week.

Here, however, his talk ceafed to be
difficult; Cecilia, as ingenuous by natoie
jis (he was honourable from principle,
having once brought her mind to con-

VoL. iV. B lenc

Civ.MnGooglc

s6 C B C I L I A.

fent to Ms profiofal, fought nqpb^^^^d
difficuhlcsto enhance the valve qf -her .c<>m»
pliante : the great point refol«ed ufon, Om
held all elie of too little iniporunce for a
con reft.

. Mrs. Chaj-kon was now called in, and^-
quaincfd with the refult of their conference, .
Her approbation by no means followid the '
firheme of privacy ; yet Ihc was too much re-
joiced in feeing her young friend near the
period of her long fufpenfe and uncafmefs,
to oppofe any plan which might forward their
termination.

Dclvile then again begged to know what
male confident might be entrufted with their
projedl.

Mr. Monckton immediately occurred ro
Cecilia, chough the certainty of his ill-will to
the caufc made ail application to himdifagrce-
ablc : but his long and fteady friendfbip for
her, his readinefs to counfcl and afllft her, and
the promifes Ihc had occaRonally made, not to
aft without his advice, all concurred to per- '
f4jade her that in a matter of fuch imporunce,
fhe owed to him her confidence, and (hould
be culpable to proceed without it. Upon him,
therefore, flie fixed ; yet finding in herlclf a
repugnance infuperable to acquainting him
with her fjtuation, fhe agreed that Delvile,
who inftantly propofcd to be her raeffenger,
fliould open to him the affair, and prepare
him for their meeting.

DcWile

D5i,.=.JnGoog[c

.C fe C I L r A. 97

i •'l3*fca^"tfteh, ritjld in' thought arid fertile
ittj^^ebtsi with a celerity and vigour which
b^edoirn all objctiiona, arranged the "wt^ple
cc^iiA of the bafiTicfs. To avoid fufpiclon,
he determined inflantly to quit her, and, as
foori as he had executed hrs commifiion with
Mr. Monckton, to haften to London, that the
neceflary preparation 9 for theirmarriage might
be made with difpatch and fecrefy. He pur-
pofedi alCo, to Bad out Mr. Betiield, that he
might df aw up the bond with which he meant
to-entruft Mr. Moocltton. This meafure Ce-
cilia would have oppolVd, but he refufed to
liften to hier. Mrs, Charlton hericlf, though
her age and infirmities had long confined lier
to her own houfcj gratified Cecilia upon this
criticaloccafion with conferiting to accompany
}kt to the altar. Mr. Monckton was depended
TJporj for giving her away, and a church in
tvondon was the place appointed for the per-
formance of the ceremony. In three days the
piincipal difficulties to the union would be
removed by Cecilia's coming of age, and in
five days it was agreed they ihouid aftuajly
meet in town. The moment they were mar-
ried, Delvile prpmifed to fct off for the Caftle,
■while in another chaife, Cecilia returned to
Mrs. Charlton's.

This fettled, he conjured her t6 be punc-
tual) and earncflly recommending himf'elf to
"her,.' elity and afFeftionj he bid her adieu.

B a CHAP.

c4iz=.JnGooglc

C E C I L I A.

CHAP. irr.

A Retrospiction:

T EFT now CO herfclf, fenfations iinfclt

before 611ed the heart of Cecilia. Ail

that had pafTcd for a while appeared a dreanii

her ideas were indiflipft, her memory was.CQn-

fuJed, her faculties ieemcd all out of order,

and fhe had but an imperfeft confcioufnefs

either qf the tranfaifHon in which {he had,.jyil

been engaged.or of the promife (he had bound

herfelf to fulfil : even truth from imagination

file fcarcely coujd feparate ; alt was darkn,eis

and doubt, inquietude and diforder 1 ..,

But when at length, her recollection^ "^V^f?

clearly returned, and her fituation appeared

to her fuch as it really was, divelled a^ifce s/

falfe terrors or delufive expefVations^ ftlpfpun^d

!lf ftill farther removed from tranquillity.

'ithcrto, though no ftranger to (brrd^,

:h the fickncfs and early lols of herTrlfijiis

firft Caught htr to feel, and which, ^t|(-i^

. fubfcq\icnt a-.ixicty of her own heart had jlnpc

jnfiriivUd-hqr.tp. bear, ftie had yet inyMiybl-^

pofleflcd the conTohuion of fcif-ai^qyi/i^^^C^

flciliobs!. biic the Hep fhe was fip,w ^Ljoi^C-iQ

lake, "all her principles opppred: iDitcrrifijd

her as undudful, it Qiockctl her'as cfaridcStne;

aud

-, ctv.-.ii,Googlc

29

and fcarce was Delvilc out of fight, before (he
regretted her confent to it as the lofs of her
iclf-eftecmj and believed, even if a reconci-
liation took place, the remembrance of a wil-
ful fault would iUW follow her, blemifh in
her own eyes the charaficr (he had hoped to-
Aipporr, and be a conftant allay to her hap-
pinefs, by telling her how unworthily fhe had
ol^tained it.

Whci-e frailty has never been voluntary,
nor tirror ftubborn, where the pride of early
integrity is unfubdued, and the firft purity of
innocence is inviolate, how fearfully delicate^
how " tremblingly alive" isthcconfcience of
map 1 ftrarigc, that what in its firft ftaie is f»
tender^ can in its laft become fo callous!

Compared with the general lot of human
mifcry," Cecrlia had firfJered nothing; but
cofnpared with the exaltation of ideal happr-
jicfs, (he had fuffVrcd much; willingly, how-
ever, would Ihe again have Ijorne all that had
didreflTcd her, experienced the fame painful
fn^cnfc, endured the fame melancholy part-,
ingi'and gone through the fame cruel tafk of
t^iotibztmg inclination with rcafon, to have
relieved her virtuous mind from the new-born,
and ' intolerable terror of confcienxious re-
pniadics^

The C(]uity,of her notions permitted her.not;

fri?,m the earne(tiiefs'^fDcIviie's entreaties to-

dtaw any palliation tor her confent to his pro-

"ppfali. Uie was confcious that but for her own.

B 3 ' too-

c4iz=.JnGooglc

^o C E C I D I Arf

, toogreaclyfacHitythofeentrtfatiM^oOldhsrc
htin inrflv£tuBl, lince ftie well ki)e^,hov litdc
from any Other of her admirers they voiildr
haVt availed. ■ •

' But chiefly her affiiftion and repentance
hung upon Mrs. Dclvrlr, whom fhc loved,
reverenced and honoured, whom flic dreaded
w ofitnd, and whom ftie well knew expcfled
from her even exemplary virtue. Her pririfes,
herpariislity, her confidence in herchar«fler,
which hitherto, had been her pride, Ihenow,
only recoltefted with fliame and with fadneft.
The terror of the firft inct-rvicw never ccafed
to be prefcnt to herj fhe ftirunk even in ima-
gination from her wrath-darting eyci flic felt
Ihing by pointed fatire, and fubdued by cold
contempt. .... -.

Yet to difappoint Delvilc fo latCi by -for-
feiting a promife fo pofitively accordedj :to ■
trifle with a man who to her had been uni-
formly candid, ro waver when her word was
engaged, and retraft when he thot^t him'*'
ftlffeciwc,— ^honour, juftrce, and fliamt,'cald
Jierthe time was now paft.

*• Ahd yet is not this,** tried flic, ** (facing
fldtnind before aftual evil ? Is it not ftudy-I
ing appearance at the expencc of reality? if
igreemg^ to- wrong is criminal, is noc pcr-
wrmitig It worfe? If repentanceforiU aAioni
tSlti for mercy, ha»notrtpent»teeforilhihi
terttions a'yc* higher <;laimf"-And whu^n^
proachcsfftuh'Drtvilecan beift tdttcr ifc-my
own?—

c4iz=.JnGooglc

CECILIA. ' _3t

ohiitMf/iua:fepsTxt\ani what CoMw, «hic
pMIrblccaJanniit)' can hang upon my mind
■^Jdifttcft-bravmefsi as che fcrifc Df conamiw
ling v(rfuntary evil ?" '

Tins Ehoughc fo mudi a.Sk&c6ha, that,
cbiwiuerKlg all .wgrrt either fi»r tJcivilc or
herfclf, Ihe refoiveS to write to him inftantly,
aird acquaint J>im of thealtd-atbii in hei len- '
t^enrsi -:■■.'..

Thra, however, afterhaving fo^tleepljren*-
gflfBcd hfi^l^i ws I^T '^ mems fofy -, and
many letters were begun, but not one of thrtn
wiu^iilhed, when d fuddcn reoolbftion ob'-
Hgcd Jier to giKcovcr the attempt^— for (he
tuKw tmcwhither todiref): niiim; ; >. -

:(tn the4Ei<te wich Which' t^eh-pian itatI<bt)Cii'
formed and fettled, it had iiever once XKCtl^-
Fcd:T» than that an^oacafioii fbfmitihg'lraft
iikely'io'hsp|wn. Drivile, indeedyk'neiKrihaV
hlbr'addreffWDoldftiH be the fame j »vA Wi'tlt
regard to his own, as. his jomacy to l^ht^
■wm ia be 'Sectev, hepurpodefinDthapingtny
fiksdiiaibit^tion. . On tnt^B]^ ttf-theicxr^iw:
riage, and not before, they bad appdinttKi-tOfc
fimst it thitf JKjiufe of Mr3;j Robearivinil^ter-
liiici wliencc they were inSttHtipto plbww^

i-Sfifr might ftiU^ itei<ed,(enclelc:jilcitf9«^
hi^tn^a tiw ilfr Mra.' HUt* ; to fciB>*ioJ.i»?¥ft^ Sft'
hitn!ion nht dcMne^^noniwB wh9rriH«,lcalb!^
ty^dbine hnpi4a>utt«i:fBiJ>ftin»ai?ftait >»ft4ia9«

— *..:./^- B4 "P

Civ.MnGooglc

32 CECIL I ■ A.

i?p the bondi ■when a licerice '^aj 'prW?fre?;
the dergyman waiting to ■pcrfirtm' the ct^fe*
mony, and Dclvilc without a fiSl]iifio«'b«
that'rhe next mortient would iin^ce'theiifii'ftr
ever, leemed extending prudence into tKftih-'
erjr, and power into cyrannf. - DeMIe 'had
done nothing to merit fuchtreatinent, he had
jiraftifed no deceit, he had be'en guilty of
no perfidy, he had opened to her his whole
heart, and after fticwing it without' any dif-
goife, the option had been all- her own to ac-
cept or rcfufc him. "

A ray of joy now broke its way through
the gloom of her apprehenfions. •* Ah !''
cried Ihej *' I have noti then> any means to~
recede ! an unprovoked breach oTpromife, ac
«hf very moment deftined for its performance,"
would but vary the mode of afling wrong,
without approaching nearer to acting right!"

This idea for a while not merely calmed
but delighted her ; to be the wife of Delvile
itemed now a matter of neceflity, and fhe
footbed herfelf with believing that to ftruggte^
againft it were vain.

The next morning during brfcakfa(t Mr.j'
Monckton arrived. -I

Not greater, though winged with joy, had.
been the expedition of Delvile toopen tohim
his plan, than was his own; though onlyt
goaded by defperatiMi} . to make fome'CflPort'
with CcciUa'for rendering it abortivft.' Nori
could all his felf-dcmal, the c<itiim4nd which :
he

Civ.MnGooglc

C E C I U I A* 33

h^Wjti -ttyec bU [Mgion%, noc the rigoar with
^ioi^bis fecHogs were made Hibfcrvient tq
(«s-iDtCTe(V,iB chisfuddeohourof maljavailto
ucfervehis o^uanimity. The rcBncmenu of
hy^pctifj, and tBc arts ofinQniLitloii^ oHered^
advantages too difta^it, and exaded auentions
too fubtle^ &r a moment To alamiingi thofc
arts and thofc actentions he had already for
many year% praftUed, with an addrefs the
mod mafterly^ andaditlgence the moll intleT
fatigable : fucccfs had oTlatc fcemed to foU
low-his toils i the encrcafing infirmities of his"
. wife, the difappointmcnt. and retirement of
Cecilia, uniting to prbmife him a conclufioa
equally fpeedy and nappy ; when now, by a^
l^4^qanduncxpededliroke,.thcfweet foIac({
oC his future cares, the. long projefted re-"
compete? qf.his pafl fuffcriiigs, was to be
fnatchcd from him for-cver, and by one who]|
tjpmpared with himfelf, wasbptthcacqya^ri-
wnceof a day. * ■. t

5- Atmoft wholly .off his guard, from, the, fu'r-
gfi^.fiffcd horror of this apprehcufioiJi hp eo-j
tcrctl the room with fuch an air t^fhalle ahi
P^nwrbation, that. Mrs. Cbarlttyi and hclT
grand daughters demanded what , ya^^ t,lV!V
iJlStter. ,'■ . ■ " 7-"

n.^KlatTVCflitie," he^anfwcred abruptly, ycCi
ertieavou.ring to rccoUcft hiiiifelf, ** to (peak,
withiMifs Beverley uppn,b,uCncfs of fomc imr
BfSHWncc." ' ,

B 5 " My.

Civ.MnGooglc

i4 C K C i: t 1 A,'

.*f Mydaar, then/* feid Mrt.. Ourftooi J
*' you had better go with Mr. Monckton'inetkti
yOUr dreffiDg-rooiTu" ' . ' ■'

I Cecilia, deeply btufhing. arofe aodi'led thpf
yi^z . JUvwly* however, flie broccededi :
though urged by Mr. ' Moncktooi to make
ipoedi Certain of his difapprobation, antf
but doubtfully relieved from her owrii flic
dreaded a conference which on his fidei fhe
forefaw, would be all exhortation and reproor»
and OB bers alt timidity and fharno.

" Good God," cried he^ " Mlfs Beverley,
what is this you have done? bound yourfdf'
to marry a man who dcfpi&s, who Icorns,
■who refufes to own you !"

Shocked by this opening, Ibe flarted, but '
could make no anfwer.

« Sec you not," he continued, *' the in-.
dignity which is offered you? Does the-
loofe, the flimfy veil with which it is covered,"
hide tcfi-om your underftanding, or dilguife
it from your delicacy ?"

- " I thought not, — I meant not," faid fhc^
more and more confounded, " to lubmit to:
any indignity, though my pride, in an exi-"
gence fo peculiar, may give way, for a while,*
to convenience."

. " To convenience?" repeated he, "tO'
contempt, to derifion, to infolencc 1"—

"Oh,Mr. Monckton '."interrupted Cecilia,:

*' make not ufc of fuch expreflions ! thejr are

coo cruel &r me to bear, and if I thought'

they

Civ.MnGooglc

tbc^iileitt!^aftvI*ould nlake m^nriEcrtblis for
lAkVnQyAiitoJ'. -■)■' ..

"You are decfi^ed, grotiyj^daeivcd,".
repH^ltisv-'''* ifycHi dm^c tbmr trvth £otJ9>
niteiientpitheyrare not, indeed, encn d^cead^-.
coaccaled from you j khcf arc' glaring as dm;
dttfi'- a>i4,ikflfuti.t>liQdBei4 can aleneobfcwc

:>fi*l.tra.{otTf, Sir," fMdCeci&,whofrcaii-
fufianj «t arcbar^ fa r<High> ■ began -dow to .
give way to anger, " if thi&is your opinion v.
atid-i am.r«tty, Eoo^. ibrithe liberty I- have
taken- in troubiihg you upon fuch a fubjeft.";
An apf^gy fo;fullof dtfpkafure muancly.
taught Mr. MonclttoA tli« error tie was com-.
mittingi ■ add checking,' therefore, ttc vio-
lence of thofe emotions to which hi& fudden
and de^rate difappointment gave rife, and
wfcich betrayed him into reproaches fo unfkil-
fifl^^^he endeavoured to recover his accuftomed
ciquanimicy, and alTuming an air of friendly;
bpenneft, faid, "Let me not offend you, my
dear Mifs Bevcrky, by afreedom which re-
ibhsmerelyfrom alblicitude toferve you, and
*hich the length and intimacy of our ac-
qahtntanoe had, I hoped, long rmce.authon-
fed. 1 know not how to fee you on the brink
©f'deflniflion without fpeaking, y«, if you
are averfe to my fincerity, I will curb it, and
feavo done." . . ■ i.

■ *f No, do not have done,", cried (be, much

foftcnad:i f" yoiw fuicerity does ;nie.nMhing-

B 6 but

Civ.MnGooglc

3^ CECILIA.

bmhonoui', and hitherto, I'sm^flWr^t 'TftBT^'t
done me nothing but good. Perhapsfa^rt^ipi!
youlr"atmoft fcnrurc ; I fearedit, Jndced',
before you came, and ought, therrfbi*, W!
have better prepared myfelf fisr ffl«eri(ig:w4lii'
it.**; '. " ■' ' ■' ■■■,■■

TTiis 'fpeech completed Mr. Monckton's
felf-viftory j it Ihcwcd him not only the^tn--
propriety of his turbulence,' but gave him
room to hope that a mildftefs more crifty ■
would have better fuccefs. - ■--' .

" Yoit cannot but bi certain/'heanftritre^-
" that my zeal proceeds wholly from a di:6iv
to be ftf ofe to you : my knowJcdge of the
world might pofTlbly, I though*, affift yoiw
inexperience, and the difmtereftrdnefs of my
regard, might enable mc to fee and to point'
out the dangers to whrch you are expofifd,-
(yom artifice and duplicity in thofewho have
otfwr purpofcs to anfwcr than what'fittiply
belong to your welfare."

" Neither artifice nor duplicity," cried -
Cecilia, jealous for the honour of Delvil«,
" have been pra'ftifed againrfl me. Argu-
ment, and not pcrfaa(iorr,determined me, and"
if I 'have done wrong — thofc who prompted
me have erfcd -ai unwittingly as myfelf,"

" You are too generous to perceive the dif>^
fcrcnce, 6r you would find nothing lefs alike.
If, however, my plainnefs v/ili not offtnct-
you, bffore it is quite top late, 1 will point
ojt tbyou'a few of the evils,— ftir. there arc
■ - fonie

c4iz=.JnGooglc

fb^idfxjnocaa^e}; chreateo, but await ■%o}^". .

CwiJis ftarted a^.this tetrifying offcr» apj
afntd CO accept}, yex afliamcd to rcfufe, ir,„

" I feci" faid Mr. Moncktbh, after'a paule
of fome continuapee, . ." yquf dqttyniinaticw
adifiUs Ao appeal. The.cqniequencc muft,
ind^d, be all your own, but 1 am greatly
g;tievM to find bow little you are aware of its
ierioufnefs. Hereafter you- will wi(h, perhaps,
tt^ the &if nd : of yxMir earlicft youth had.
btttfi:pe^>;j^.S9-a4vife y;oui at prefent you ;
onjl^ think him oSic^ous and impel tinenti and
thflrfifoFe. h^ can donothingyou will befo like-
\ys^ approvers quitting you. I wifh you,
thiHtt grgatrf happinefsthan feems prepared to
fuljlow^ y^Uy an4 a counfellor more profperous
iRflfferiflg his affiftance."

iHCi?TO«ld then have taken his leave : but
Ccciiiaxalled out, "Oh, lytr. Monckion! do
y6u then give me up ?"
,^'f Not unlefs you wifh it."
. - f* _A.las, I know not what to wilh ! except,
ifBieed, the reftoracionof thatiecuricy from
fdlfr-blaiTve, which tiU ycfterd^y, "even in the.
midO: of ditappointoicntj quieted and confoled .
\i»" : J

■A' Are you, then> fenfible you have gone,

Vfrodg, ycl rcfolute not to turn back?"

" ;;f^'f9Mld.l tell, could I fee," cried %,

iWtJi-ftBfl^yj " which way I ought to turn, not;

-, . a momenc'

a iVtoment would I htffitM* hMr ttf^aatlvn^f
heart (Konld have no poweiv ^ hef^iniifv'iupv
cRoicej— I ■would TtcovvfWf^amtuv^i^ilt'Xtf-
any ftcrificc that coaM be tiiaa«!ffi'ilar!rr !■ ■

:" What, then, can poffibljii tx t^ur^cM^-
T© be as you were yefterdaf what <iismUtng'
but your owrr mcJmat'ion?" ■ ' -i ■ -!:.

" Everflhing4siican<ting! *^<, hofA^ir',
firmners, all by which thfc juft are boumifj and
an which the conrcicnttous hold fK*tti!^ v.

** Thefc fcruples are merely romantio":
y trar own good fenfe, had it fti«r play, woiridri-
contemn them ; hut if is wafped at f^'tnthf^v
prejudice and prepoflfcfiwsn." ■ ■"'■■^

"No, indeed!" ct-icd (be, coloofirg atfthe i
charge, "I mayhaTcenteredtooprecipitaWJjB;'
into an engagement I ought to have avtridid^"
but it is weakncfs of judgment, not ot httutj :
that difables me from rctrievingtny ewor."- '" ■
' VTet you will neither-hcar whither it nwy-
Itad you, nor which way you nfiay efcajie'
from it?"

" Yes, Sir," cried flie, trembling, •* 1 am- .
now ready to hear both."

" Briefly, then, I will tell you. It will
lead you intoa family of which every indivi-iv
dual will difdain you J it will make you in-
mate of an houfe of which no other inma'tt^
will affbciate with you ; you will be tnfuUed '
as an inferior, and reproached as an mtruder r
youf birth will be a futgeft of ridicule, dhd .
your whole race only named- with. dcfiiiiin':
aad

c4iz=.JnGoog[c

OB: C r- L F A.' 30

ycnt.-mtho^tn contempt, the man for wham
ytut'fnfier.viirnDt^re to fapport you."

" Impoffiblc ! impoffibtel" cried Ceclliar
♦WrtliA.moft angry cmmion, « this whole
rc[^refentatioD is eiraggerated, and the latre^
part is otterrf without foundation.**

*« The iMter parr,'* faid Mc Moncfcton,
" is of ^ other' leaft' difpdtable : the man
who ri6w (Jarts not own, will then never veo-
rare to defend fou. On the contrary, to
fttakc peace far himfetti he will be the flrft to
negle^.you. The ruined eftates of his ancef-
tors will be repaired by your fortune, while
the'namewhicA you carry into his family *ill
be conftantly refented as an injury; you will
thiM he plundered though you are fcorncd,
and told' to confider yourfelf honoured that
they condefcend to make ufc of you ! naf here
refts the evil of a forced connexion with .fo
much arrogance,— even your children, fhoukV
you have any, will be educated to defpife
you !

" Dreadful and horrible !'* cried Cecilia j
'" * I can hear no more. — Oh, Mr. 'Monckton>
what a profpt^ have you opened to my
View !-"■ ^

-** Fly from it, then; while it is yet iri yowf
powei-, — when two paths are before you,
choofe not that which leads to dcftrtiftion j
fehd inftantly after DelvJle and tell him that"
f0[l- kii/c rcoovertd your fenfes,"

"I would

40 C Ei Ci li L. li A^i

. <*. LwbuIdlQng:finee.iuV^feiiti»fnI,f anted
noca reprerentatidiifuch.as.EhiS,n-iHicit^i&naic
noc itow io.difci6t coium/-norwJiiiih«rikdU .
gone,*'.. . ... . --. ;,i .. -i;, -.,:>,■ ny,-: -

." An arc And baJeocfsJo^rev^nt fQmtte^
cantuionl"

" No, Sir, noy" cried .(he with: quickncfs j.
** whatever may be the tcuth of .yourrpaint-
i^g in general, .all diat concerns— -t-''.

Alfaamed.of the vindication Ihe intended,,
which yet in her. own mind >w3fi.firm and,
^tmated>.flie liopt and left the fencence ua.,
finished. .j, :.j

" In what place were you co me« ?" . faJd
Mr. Monckton -, " you can at \cxSt fendttK
him. there."' ; . ■ /- '.'-/i-x

" W« wer? only to have met," an;fwered:
flic,- in much coniufion,. " it theiik^i&o-
mexity and that would be coalaie-^it would;
be too — I could not, without fome .previous
notice^ break a, promifc which I gave with*
out any reftri£tion." i.j.>!

■'.f Is this-your only objcftion ?" <,.-'j .iM
'i-** Ic its batiDJii'one which 1 oapnot)c«nw
qiicr*"- . ■ ■ ' _ ■ ■'■ , ■■""-'- ^'^°^

" Then you would give up this ill-iboding
connection, but from- notions of delicacy with
ttgard to the time?" - j;;iO liiiE

o -f^ indeed I meant it, before jjou.cBrflorflsj
?:.f.Jj;theii,'wfill obviate this objeftibn 'j^wd
iflebm the coninitnion>rCith«r ve£ba^ylOFJI<t
-. wptiogif.

L> Google

cft EI c; n L" iH a;' +x>

^^in^gjMKiits^Bl criitieftakzi tnl find Jiina one,
ankxdeiowi-it.hibjtt aighU'. •/ .. i: ■ ^ i
ii €itciiiti;KUttleiexpe&icig tbbiofierj turnKdi
exiremcly pale, and after paufing Jbme.mo'/
irteiTta;i'i3adi^in a ^elteang voter,. " What,
then, Sir, is your advice, in what manner—"-
. 'V,t'wUt.'fey«ojhJrh'4U that is. neceffary f
tnift.-i^e!,:matt)er with me." ,:.

*' Noj — he .dfr(er.vc5, at ieaft,. 3D ;flpa1ogi)r.
from royfdf-i-ihoagh how lo make it—"
ij;&hr ftopt, '(he hefita»od, . ftie ■went out of
the. room for pen andink, Ihe returned wich-r
out them, and the agitation of her mind
Auery infl'aLni.encrexfmsi fhc begged him, in
ai/^e. voice, to -excufe her while Ox coQx
fulted with Mrs. Charlton, and promiliog to
Wxienpon him again, was.hurrying a.w^y. .
-''/Mm JVlonckcon, however^ faw too great
4iTiget innfoinuoh emotion to tru& her out
ef msiight I he tc^ her, therefore, that Ihe
would only cricreafe her perplexity, without
reaping any advantage, by an application to
Mrs. Charlton j ithac if (lie was really Qncere
, ifliviDiing.<o recede, there was :no[ s morcKnC
tQ be lod, and Delvile Ibould immediately be
pmfued. . .

<' - Cecilia, fenfible of the truth of this fpcech,
and once more recollefling the unaf&fted
eat'liciftners wjth which, but an houo:ot two
bef^e, the bad ho-felf dcTired to TCnounce
i^s«og)ag(^rKne>-BOwfummaBcd her utmoft
C^unge tQ her. ajd, and, after » ,lb«rt, biit-
paioful

.„„.„Go„;,l0

L> Google

L> Google

4tt C E( C I L- I'A.;

painful ftri^gie, deefnn!nedto-a£tconfiftent>'
ly wich her profe^ons aad her chara-ikery^aTvii
by onegrejLt and 6iral cSact, to cotyclucir all
her doubts, and try. to filence even her r^ret; •
by completing the triumph of fortitude over
iticlination.

; She called, therefore, for pen and ink, and
without venturing Jierfclf from the roonfi>
wrote the folJowi«g letter.

To Mortimer Delvili, Efq.

Accufc me not of caprice, and' pardon my
irrcfolution, when you find me ftirinkirig'
with tervor froni' th& promilif 1 have-made^
mnd no longer either abie or ofiUing to p*»e.
form it. The wproacbea of yonr -(afniHyf-
flittuld y<ry ill cndwf ; but the rcproicbes
of my own heart for an aSion I car* neither
approve nor defend, would be ftill tt\t)t»
oppreffive. With fuch a weight wpo*- tJWi
mind, lengtb ofiife wo^ld be burchcfifoAW(£>
with ft fenfotion- of guilt ttfrly'd^wh- wtfttJdi
be cerrifio I Th«fe being my fiotk>tt» of' fht-
enga^meat into whidhwte mii^^Mcrndfyoji'
cannot wonder, and you have ftiil lefs'mi'*
Ibn to repine, thtitl dare not fulfil, iC' Mi& !
where would be your chliBCC «f bi^itt^
wnhonswho in the very adl'X>f b^oeMiinlg;
yoors wvuld foHvit her own ! ■ •"• :.fihi}stn
. 1 bluOi at this nniy WQjtnt(Ki»diJ<Md';iit
grieve> «c tite difap^acowAt in tlMffh^lAiA
Aon

D5i,.=.JnGoog[c

G^ E G I L r- A. 43

fian!^yda^ But- 1 have yielded to the ex-
hortations: of an inward monitor, whb is
never to be neglefled vrith ifftpvtitty. Con-
ftdt him yourfcif t and i fhall need no Ofhei'
advocate.

Adieu, and may all felicity attend you !
If to hear of the almoft total privation of
mine, will mitigate the refentment with
which you will proteabiy read- this letter,
it may be mitigated but too eafily ! Yet my
confent toaphndeftiac nfRion (hati never be
repeated ; and though I confefs to you I am
nofhappy, I folemnly declare my refolucion
is unalterable. A little rcfleftion "will tell
you I aim right, though a great deal of lenity
may fcarce fuffice to mate you pardon my
^eifig right no fooirer.

C. B.

'• This letter, -which witl? trembling hafte,
rafillting from a fear of her own fteadinefi»
flieibldcd and fealed, Mr. Monckton, from
thfe feme apprehenfion, yet more eagerly re-'
i^ivedj and fcarce waiting to bid her good
morning/ moiitned fits^orle, and ptiffued iv&
way CO London . ■

<■ Gfctilia returned to Mrs. Ghariton to ac*
qtHiint iiw with what hadpafled: and not-
ifythftanding the folfrowftie felt rn apparently'
injtnriTig the man whom, irt thewhole worW;
fteim^ wUhed to oWige, ihc'yet found A
■ fatwftaiom ii thefiiCri^e"ttie"h^Tifrad*'y
' -i thac

D5i,.=.JnGoog[e

4+ C E <

ihat cecorppeijred
ings, and foothcd
tranquillity; the
had fcar'cc f xperic
it a rcfource agai
ahd a fupporter in
mcnt.

Ah Emb

'T^HE day paflei
gcnce i the ne
fame manner^ and
her birth-day, Cec
The preparatior
making among hci
event, Cecilia appi
and endeavoured i
She gave a public
willing to partake
to thofe who comp
pardoned many deb
food, and cloathin{
ocvolcnt occupaiic
heavy, and while th
diverted her fufpc
continued at the h(

Google

<$ E C I t t A. 43

workmrn having difappoimed htriofinilb,-
^^e Wr'own. . ... ■

Put, in defiance of her utnioft- exertion>
towards, the evening of this'day the une^finefs
of her uncertainty grew almofi: intolerable.
The ne'xc morning me Had proinifed Dclvile
to fet out for London, and he expefted the
morning after to claim her for his wifej yet
Mr. Monck'ton heriTicrTcnt nor came, and
Ihc knew not if her letter was delivcredj or
if ftill he was unpreparcd'for'the difappoint-
mcnt by which he was awaited. A fccrcc
regret for the unhappinefs (he mud occafinn
him, whicK filently yet powerfully reproached

^ C Ji. G I h a A,

b»» but cho look vbich h»ieaagiii«:isn'der-
lineated was more piercing tbin words- rbf

fevereft inaport. . ^'^

Thefe images puvfued and. tormented hot,
drew tears from her eyes, and loaded her bean
with anguidi. Yet* when (be recollefted that
her condud had had in view an higher mor
tive than pleafuig DelvUe,. fhe felt that it
ought to otTer her an higher fatisfaftion : flic
tried, therefore, to revive her fpirits, by r«i-
Aefting upon her integrity, and refuted &U
indulgence to this enervating fadners* beyond
what the weaknefs of human nature demands,
as fome relief to its fufierings upon evety
frc(h attack of mifery.

A conduft fuch as this- was the beft antt-
dote againO; afili<^ion, whofe arrows are ncvt^
with fo little dilficulty repelled,, as when they
light upon a confclence which no felf-reproach
has laid bare to their malignancy.

Before Xix o'clock the next morning, her
maid came to her bedlidewith the following
letter, which (he told her had been brougbt
by an exprefs.

To Miss BEVERtEY.

May this letter, with one only from Del-
vile-Caftle, be the laft that Mijs Beverley may

Google

@. K C I L 1 A. 47

^rttigBB^enuRjiwAoiiFis' by the defek^ption
nhatMia/i givea ^f Inm, t Imagine is. Mr.
Monckton, has been in fcarch of me with a
.lectesrtnthiflh hcfvas anxu>o» to deliver im-
meditteljr.

Perhaps, this kctcris from Mifs Beverley,
perhaps it contains diroftions which ought
inftamty CO befollowed: could I divine what
they are, with what eagern^s would I ftvdy
ts ODtictpate their execution ! It will not, I
&ope> be too late to receive them on Satur-
day, wheD her power over 'my adtiona will
bo conftrmed, and when every wi(h (he -will
■QOmiTiunicatc, iball be gratefully, joyfully,
and with delight fulfilled.
' Jihave fought Belfield in vain ; he has left
tord VanncU, and no one knows whither he
ia gone. I have been obliged, therefore, to
tiuil: a Hranger to draw up the bond ; but ho
is a man of good character, and the time of
fecrefy will be too Ihort to put his difcretion
in much danger. To-morrow, Friday, 1 (ball
i'pead folciy in endeavouring to difcoverMr.
Monckton { 1 have lei Pure Tufficicnt for the
fearch, fince fo profperous has been my diliT
gcnce, that every thhig is prepared !

! have fcen fome lodgings in Pall-Matl,
■which I think are coinnnodious and will fuit
you: (end a fervam, therefore, before you (o
iccurc them. If upon your arrival I Hiould
venture to meet you there, be not, 1 befetch
lyou, oflTcndod or alarmed: I Ihall take every
poflible

48 .CECILIA.

pofiible preeamioa neither m iie kHQWt^iior
' feen, and I wiU ftaywich you only tfTre«-'ffii-
nuces. The maffengcr who carries thi^ is ■
-ignorant from wh(»n it cohice, fori &ar'his
repeating my name among your fervants, «d
.he could fcarce recuFH to me with an anfwer
. before you will yoorfelf be in town. Yes,
lovcHcft Ct-ciiia! at the very moment you re-
ceive this lctter,^lhc chaife will, I flatter my-
felf, be at the door, which is to bring to me
atreafure that will enrich cvcryfuiurc hour of
my life ! And oh, as to mc it will be exhaufl;-
Jefi, may but its fweet difpenfer experience
fome (hare of the happincfs ftie bcftows, and
then what, fave her own purity, will- be fo
perfcfli fo unfullicd, as the felicity of her

-M, D?

The pcrRjrbation of Cecilia upon re.ading
r this letter was unfHcakable : Mr, Monckton.

Google

C E- C V L I A. 49.

"i^irafipQinc him tt the Uft^ momenc (he could
not refolve, fince fuch a conduifl appeared ta
her unfeeliikg aiid unjudiHable : for a few'in-
Aants fhc thought or having him waited for
at nighe in London, with a letter; bat the
danger of cntrufting any one with fiicb a com-r
miflion, and the uncertainty of finding him,
ihould he di%uife himfelf, made the fuccela
of this ftheme too precariau* for ttial.

One expedient ajoneoceurredto her, which,
though (he felt to be hazardoas, fhe believed
was without an alternative: this was noothec
than haftening to London herfclfj Qonfenting
10 the interview he had pFopofcdirrl'ill-Mali;
and then, by ftrongly (tating lier objeftians,
and confeffing the grief they occ^iOBod her';
to pique at once his gentrrofiiy and- his pride
upon Ttleafing her himfeif from the engage-
ment into which he had enteied.

She hfld no time to dtHbfirate ■, her. plan,
therefore, was decided almoft as foon as form-
ed, and every n;ioment being precious, (he was
"obliged to awaken Mrs. Charlton, and com-
municate to her at once the letter from Del-
vile, and the new refohition (he had taken.

Mrs. Charlton, having no object in view
but the happincfs of her young friend, with a
facility that looked not for objedions, and
fcarce faw them when prefented, agreed to the
expedition, and kindly confented to accom-
pany htr to London; for Cecilia, however
concerned tQ hurry and fatigue her, was tuo

Vol. iV, C - anxious

^ <b t 4 i t t S,

■fiflaw^n'lt^ditingir. ' "■■■ , nt:'ii.'!j:flonx-j

fteft-hofrftfe'fei' fp«d,'And 'twt/ftf*r*i>iisltah
litirfibflclt, -tHtf -room^rit Mm. OwilWid %ito
feady, they (it OIK on thitir jou^nty. "
. Stares hid. they proceeded" two milw OB
tfjcir way, Whenthey were met byMr. Mont^-
ton, wKo was [)«ftcfiiflg to tbeiF'houfe^
. Amazed and alarmed ac a fight fo unex-
pected, he ftopc the chaife to enquire whither
they were going.-' ■ ■■

Cecilia, without aofwering, aflced if*her
JeOter had yet been received ?
. " I could not," faid Mr. Monckton, ** de-
liver k to a man who was not t& be found :
I wa$ this momtfht coming to acquaint you
how vatnty I had fought him; but (till that
your journey is trnneoeiSry, ohlefs volurit*y,
fince I iiave left ttut the houfe where yon roul
TnoTuu fhould.meH to-^norrow mwning, and
■ wheias ho-mutt then unavoidably receive it^^T

" >ndecd,Siri" ctiedCecilta, *'to-morrow
' morning wtli'be to» hite,-i~in Gonfcienocv' (in
-juflic^t and'Sveo in decency too late !i I bns/?,
therefore, ^{to town j )'et I go noc^ believe
mf, in. oppofi tioA to ytmr injunAions,'6ai tu
enable mylelf^ without treiciberyordtlboBa<n->
CO fulfil' tharm." / i

Mr. -Moiiitkton, -aghaft and confoiiadcd,

' made not «ny anfwer, till Ci^cilia gave orders

to the pofliUftft CO drive uo: be then haftily

called

g. t 9 I %■ % f^' <**

-cxpc^ulation'i but Cec)IU, firm when- fite
Iwliey^ad h^rfeif fi^(,'^bpogh wawtring yAen
fca^^ft^i MfM -wrong, ;,u^cf Ifrtin iciwasaov
too l»te to cliaogo her plao,' ^nd re pf«iif^ htr
orders ta4twpoftilion, kftiwrn^taoi^ownvr^

, flcdiofts J ^ievf;dhej:feif Ki,rej«ft hU wiinfrl,
yet ^00 uiRntly.occupiccI t>y -tienown ^iai^-
and deligna, 19 'think 1^^ ^ apy pibj^-. •

.,_ ' . ' .A Tor M BiNTv

jtip 4^*-i_»i they ftopt. for dinner; Mrs. ,
■ TH ChatlKKT being too moch fatigued to go
on withotH ibine teft/ thoogh' die hafte of
CecHia to meet DeWile time enough for ftcw
-aiTHnging'their affairs, made kerrt^ree every
moment tiiatwas fpeot upoft eheToad.
..»• Thrir meal was miE long, and they .were
TTttiPning to tlieir ctuife^ when tthey were
fuddeiHy encountered hy Mr. Morricc, who
, was joft alighted' Irom his hbrfe.

He congratulated lilmrelfuponthehapisi-

nefs of meeting iliem with the ai^of a'man

.vho nothing doubted that happinefe being

-mucuati then hdtenins-ta-fpeakof the Grove,

! C2 "I

;i c e;: c; i; v I, X,

" Icoyld^hJirdiy," liectied, "get ay^ayy^itijr
frieriif Motrclcton won't icnbw wttVt Vi' do
withcnirmc, for Lady MarBS.'ri?[,'"boqr"'6itl-
ifbul, is in a-(h6cjclng bad way"iiiclJtaj''diwe'^
hardly iny ft'ayin^ in the room iwirh her; lief
breithing is juft Yikt the gruniin^'of a hoff.'
iihe can't poflibly laft long, for llic's qijire
upon her lafl" legs, and tumbles about fo
when the walks alone, ope would fwear ftie
was dhink."' . .

" If you (akc infirmity,""faid Mrs. Charl-
ton, who was now helped into the chaife,
" for intoxication, you inuft fuppofe no old
perfon fober."

'" Vaftly well faid, ma'am," critfdhej "I
really forgot your being ?n old lady yourfelf",'
or 1 ftibuld not have made the obfervarionl
However, as to poor Lady Margaret, I^e may,'
do as well as ever by and by, for (he has ah
excellent conftijuiion, and I fuppofe ftie
has been hardly any better than IJie is poW'
thtfe ferry years, for I rcmtrrrber.w hen I wa^
qciite a boy hearing her called a limping ^la
ptiddlc." ■ , *

■ " -Wtll, we'll difcufs this matter, if y6^^
pkafr," faid Cecilia, ^* Ibme other time," aftd
ordered the poODion to drive on. But BffL^ril
they came to their, next Itage, Morrice ha^V-^
ing changed tiishorfe, joined them, apd rode
on by their fide, begging them to obtcfij^"
whatTiaftc tie had made on parpofe.to; have

Google

CECILIA.

.53

*fs- 'i^a^ very offfflfive to
ipie years and chara^er had
more df/cr^ncc apd r^fpe^ ;
us boly tp haften lier jeur-
k; to every thing, Tavewhac

1 they both again. changed
norfcs,' and he (till, continued riding with
them, andoccafionally talking, till they were
■widiin twenty miles of* Londofi, when a dif-
I'urbaaccupon the.road exciting his curiofity,
he haftily rode away from them. to. enquire
into its caufc.

C J - « I am

54 C !^ C 1 £ f A;

, '' } am ■too mtich in hafte at prefenVi^*
b'nd I can do tTicin nogood -, but MrsXTlklf-
ton I.tinA furewiUrpareber fervant, if.heca^
be of 4ny xxih."''

" 0> but thf young ]ady wants tt>Tp«h
io you ( fhe is coming up to the chalfc asfaft
as ever (he can,"

i how fhould ilie know me?" cried
Miith much furprifc ; " I am fure fti4
t Ice me."

told her," ahfwcred Morrice, with
' rdf-^approbation for what he had
dooe> ." I told her it was you, for I knew I
could Xoen overtake you."

Difpkarure at this ofBcioufnefs was uni'-
(railing, for looking out of the window, fhe
{lerceived MifK Larollcs* folio ved b^ 'haU* bcr
party, pot xhree pacfcs froih the :^haitc.

creature," Die called oui^

e accident 1 I ftifure yau if

y frightened you're no idea.-

ihing.in the world that you-

■Were.gwiq; thisway^ Never aay thing hapw-

pcneafia eicefliviely -provoking J .you'rt lun

.sn^ttBi Wialc .& .&11 we've bad. .It'b -borrid'

ihocking, I affare you. HoWhaveyoAi bee/i'

.allihw time ? You can't. conceive howvgUd

I am ia fee .y«u." '

".And to which wiU.MifsBe«iiey anrwcr.

■firftt'* fffiitd a Toice ■tbhich announced Mr.

GoTpco'S, ** the joy <a- -the Ibirow ? For f*

adroitly are they blended, that a common «u»..

.. -■ ditM

9 5 c; I 1. 1 A. ii

^'iVo^,^:t^d,yriyh difficulty decide Ttf^iether
C^r)^ep.^c|r coiigracuiation'ftiouldhjive the

"" t3ow can you be fo exceltiVe horfitl/?
^r^i^.MifaLarolles, "to talk of confefatulai
tion,' wljen one's in foch iHliocIiiiig- panic^
that one does not know if bn^'i' ^kad of

•My^;'"- ^ . . .. ■ '■■'"■ i

. ,*',jX)pad, .tUen, for any wager," retumcj
he, '* if we may judgefro'in your ftiljnelsi" '
. "^ 1 deftre, Fhow, you won't begin joking,**
tpfld (he; "for I aftiiire you its an fexcefTivt
fcrwus alTqir. I was nevtr lb rejoiced in mjf'
fife as' when I found I was notkiUed; I've

faia
:(ng(

uJt
Mift

iway

■ont-
^^^jf^a'ye np idea* I tJioughtjiC^tainArefby,
yaa would liavc ftayetl't6 take care of hpf "
^ "IriJrunaiidfechowfTi'eisinjrfeK;" c^icS
M(ffjic?» aJ^ away, be ga)ki{^e^. •■' , T • ,<
;„.„■ ■ ' C 4- - ■ •■■ '--B.K\tf,

6 i c i t ? 2

jary check!"

\ f Cecilia, wliorq the furprife ao'
^IpunTeafonable a meeting, wher
^arly wifhed to have cfcaptd a]
hulierto kept in pjinfu] filepce, I
'jttovcr fome prefcnce of mind j
.iber .coimpliinenis co Mifs Lanj
(joQjort, witli ^ flight' bow to
fite apologized for hurrying aw
iheiT) the had an engagement in 1
'.could not 'be deferred, and was
orders to the poftilion to dfive or

fpeed, caliet

le is notable

)t td the groi

:kandbtiie;

'erley would

inlierchaife,

ts i and fhe fays flie Ihall
take it as a great favour. Here, poftiliprt,' a
jitlle more to the l-ightt come, "ladies ai^d

Google

as 9 ? ^ 5^- J^

'ctmibt,""r"M Mf. Golport : ". but as ycm murc
. have l?Hj.Uis cMciitiontr, what fofret ^ea*

I!

could he <)ic:? Ifyva viHyoui&lliTfKetAa

The pofl'ilion, at lengthy interrupted th^s'^

"vftciferation with hews ciat rhe chaife wiii

again fit for ufej'and Cecilia", :eage*' fo. b*^'

"jlding him little, regarded, 'repca't^i

■faid to Mifs Larolles. ' f .

eohaife?" cried fhe, " why you cloiPt' '

I'll ever get into ithat horrid cWlfe^,

e ? I do affure yoil'I would nofit^n |

^aOy account."

■*' rJot get into it?" faid Cecilis, *', Tjjt"
w|iat purpofe^ tJicnj have we all wailed.-tlir li'^
tvks, really .?" - .' ' ", ''' ^ '

■ "'"G,' I declare I would not go -ia it folr"
Yo^iy if;o>]fand worlds. I would raUicr walk '

apd,thpnforusgep[lemen to cfcort this young
l^ay ,ii;id Mlfs Beverley on fopti till' we all
come 'to ttie next inii. Mifs EeVerliey, I
kno.w, is an; e^ccellent walker, fpr I have
iwtti:4^ri Moiickton fay Cq."
^^~ X 6 CwiH^,

M a E? C r E) nAO

f. I ^ciojitai^tTwi^ ill EUeXjtnisftimAAeqiMiott

My^(hc!tlac^^O;^l«sy'I«dfo[lS^tQ Ki&kdnaisc^
iaiovr cot hour citbdr-mdccenc^onbiUnaRii^
t^oppoie ic:.aDd'the|iearof-t<ai&ngfiir{Mtiai%
fmfri -X confeioufncfs how nwch thiCM' wu.' lo '
fofpeftj forced her to curb her UnpttMiiiEcei
^Htd x^ducedthefeveti Coi<opeac.theonerniuch
Itforricr JiadLinadc^ i^iigb ftc uould fcaroB
ii^-at hnnfor anger ac)tisanfea6aaublcibcE4
Wfwdninfoi' . ■ . ;. . j->.- tJ3

•_ . No voice diflrntihg, the troop- b^m 'fl»
be. formed. ' The foot conGfted .of-tr^ tilm
'jrpung ladies and -Mr. Gofporti wiho aiiAmd
X9'W;ilk with Cecilia i the cavalcy, m!hb>x
Meadows, -she Captanii' and Morrie^:mb»
wallud .their horfes a foot paee, vbikt^he
reft of the party rode on with the chmfe,;oi-
^ti?ndant9:Bpon Mrs..McaEs. .v^;

' juft be-fore they fct off,. Mr. Meadowit
VkUng ,nHegligently up to the carriage^ exerted
(yi>jfelf 4b far as to fay to Mrs. Mcara, "Arc
yotihurt, fira'aiYii" and, at the fame: inftancj
fe*Tning m recoUeft Cecilia, be turned atani^
af)4:¥&wning while he touched bis bac, faid^
S'Oj bow d'ye do, ma'am?" and then>iwti»4
JDut waiting an anfwcr to cither of his qoeilt*
UCfa&'f flapped .it ovflr, his eyes, Mid joined the
jEu^a^4d.e, though w'tiliout appearing tu'hs^d
^i)y <;ofirctouf/Ktfs:tJiat he belonged toil; lu
; Cec.lia would.rooft gladly have ufcd ibCTft*
le^d chaife hcrfclf^ but could not make fucU
a projpofal

c^ EI a u D n A> ti

appinfw ft i fTT* fM""-' OhaTiia^u mihn rgayi jhtll
•duDMcf^uidicite .<d(uirage. foKc^enlan^ apfcota

nidtiplkd-' xci .ioten^ <by ^ the jnaltce' ofi Mti'

jGn^iar&r,- ■ -i-j.-i ■.'.■)();; ■.,.■''; . -■ ■ .M
«:i]MifjvEaroIieKcairiedlierii«le^dog'Jn;in» '
aonai' declaring (beiwDUld nercrmore'traft
^■naioMncieot asray &omhar.''iShFacqujtinti>
ed Cecilia that St\e had been for Comt itttft
vpaai-K-viGs to Mrs. Mean, who, vriih the
ttAoCltht partyv had 'CokenMier toTeo-i-^^
lja[Uls:andi^deDSt where they bad mad« ail
cdSly'ldiniiCT,^ from which they -were juft re*
«dniing4iaii66 wboa the chalfe broke dowH.-
siiSb^ ihcn'{itocc«kd, with'ber ufual velublt- -
iky^:to Tdate the tittle nothings that hoA
pafied fince the wtotrc, ftyitig frotn fubje^t*
^)i!^eSv>*vich-'DO meaning but to be heird,
faDd-JKnyifti-bitt tor talk^ ever rapid in fpccchi
I!h6u'fi;h;fninlrtein detail. This loquacity mek
Itrnwiibany intemipEion,"fave'iit«w ^lid'theil
^ri&ileaftic-TemaFk from Mr. GofpoKi for
([^cUijiitfas too much occupied byhcrOWn af*
faSwwanlwor-or iiften lo fiichuninterefting
dSfctfurfet ■ ■ ■..,■■■.

vnHtrSiHaat, however, wa» at JengtW ferfei-i
bJ^'biokenf Mc; Gofport, takirig advantag*
of thetflrffc moment Mifc LMrolif S ftopt i'ot
bnsahf-£uii, ■ " Fray what csrciea you to
slyi'. n'f-'ii -. ■ . ■- ■ -■- ■ towtr>

L-.. u.-.i, Google

<» c E c r V I Ar

town. Milk Bc,«rley/l(t;;iiis unw'm.jtip*.

ftstr?" .'.-.'^^"^7.

, Cecilia, wKofe though

employed) upoa what wo

|Ht>ichir^g meccing wkh

tircly unprqiared Tor thb t

could make to ic no ma,

Mr. Gofpoit> -in a jam c

peated h, anJd then, Jmz

**, I have fome bufinefs,

ptay how long have

country?" ? >. *

" Bufinefs, have yog ?" .cried he, ftrji(|i« .
by her evafion ; " and pray what cah yo^'aoil ^'
bofinefB have in common ■?" . i

. " More than you may ima^rw," anfVwra
Ihe, with greater (leadinefs; " and perhaps
before long 1 may even have enough to te^c^
we the enjoyrhentof Icifurc," , ,

** Why you don't pretend to p3ay my: ',
Lady Notable, and- become your .(jwtri '
fteward?" ' ^.,^

. *' And what can I do better ?" ^ .

■" What? Why feek one ready made tp^-i
take the trouble ofF your hands. There arfl ■,
fuch creatures to be found, .1 promile you,:',
bcafts of burthen, who will freely under^ j
take the management of your eftate, fpr.npi
€thcr reward than the trifling one of pdfT^ff,:
fing it. ,Can you no where meet with.fijci^-,
an animal ?" '■ -.r ,-

"IddtfC

,", « 1-don't kiKn&" »fwer»d Qt^'U^^a^

**' Have youi thf n, wifely faved j
■ftorm, by a generous furrendex? y
'been, indeed, in an excellent fchoo
ftutjy bochof attack and defence;
Citue, is a fortrefs which, even
jprc^W its (Vrength by its antiquity
■tcac}ies»alfp, an admirable leflbn, by
11^ 'tht dangerous, the infallible power of
tiwV which defies all might, and undermines
alrftrtngth J which breaks dqwn every bar-
rier« afidfficws noUiiog endurable but Itfelf." '

' --^ ■ Then

Civ.MnGooglc '

6\ c ^ c ; L £j 4,

T)r rovir iiiwium.

" And, do you not know,
the place to «hi(;h I allude r
chief, ;n as many ;minutes
number of years cannot re&
parts pf a bwilding are riot
, accident than its outfide;
evU may more cafily be conf
gf eater difficulty be rcmedi
' ftrufture have 1 feen, v^hic
before me,", (loqkinjg wi,th
at'CeciUa,) " has to the eye
aU us pares, and unhO;t cit

«M.

^ i 6 i £ f Ai <fi

n my life. I quite for*-

!" cried MorricCj f he
is friends. I. had jiiffi
ird for him : Wc wtt'^
itimatt. Poot fellow!
icellcnt dinners." '
ty exclaimed Mr.Mca-
: chen, to firft heat ^%k\
who was he ?" ' '-
red a feliOw aseVi^i-I
fwered MorrrcrfV "-lifc
low"!. he was duinfeift* -
and

66, qAE: C' ly L, I^Ao

fln^CflgiRg anrt rfaiwing to^i^^rYM^foftfi

Mr. Meadows madc'not'aR:)t-,f^wctrMr^M|i
rode langukJly on. 'v ,,.-'^.r-,c| ■ •

Morrice, ever rewc: fl^pp^nt-rfiaa feg»ci*
fiUjw callpd <nit» ".I, really bcdiesut ticgeptie-
imtp's, deaf ] he won't To, niucli as {nfhtaiifb^
hay, ^Qv/i l?yt rUgiMe-him fuch a )iaUow.,iiit
h^S:€ars, fls^ftil'tnake himh^at (ne wh^twp
he will w no. Sir! I fay !" bawling alflp48
" hivt yotf fofig^t that nig^t at Via^x^ll-E"

Mr.'M«adow«}ftartingatbein^'th^s4h9V^'*
ed at, looked i^>¥rards Mprrice withXcMne fuf^
prife,^od faidj *.* Wert; you To obliging, gjr*
m to- %)e«k 't4^ rrw f '' .-,■ .^^ ,-. -.j-ac. ■>,-;■

'■' Cord, yes, Sir," faid ^^Mrrictv «PWl4>
? I tfem^ht fou had aflcxd fotnething.kbibv^
Wr. -Hwitrel, fo I juft made an anfifcr » ,^f^
ihat's ail." : 1.- .-, ._{

. 'f Sif,yoy are very good," returned fee^
fliglid;; bowing aiid.ct^n lot^ingatiCH^r
iMv, as if.thorot^My TaQ^d witib w^a^^hf^
m^<i^. .: ,. n, . .. , ■. ' . .f -ijod
J " Bu«I fay, *ir," r-afiiined M(vri<;e, (^'$
you remember how Mr.- Harrcl-rr-:' ;■ ':)■ , ?:»
., /* Mr., VfhOi.Sir.?'* ■ ; ; O "
:) .« Mf- HarrtlrSiri was flat ypu.J*ift,,.^Jr'
■afking ijn* who he was ?" ..,__•, ^ (u-ij-.n

" O, ay, true," eneiiMea4vWh?i^^%,f^
^ entree* V^ari«f»,:',*:i ap^mvffe-flWtgei

G^'E' C^ I- I> r'AJ 6>

5flf«^JtducIiffigRiS?i«, he *ras licBrtg flwayj
6M^bed[KVhi(hfd^M«rrite<:AUed'6(H!, "Tout
refpcdts to him? why lord'! •'Sn*>dolt*'t-»?oU

** Dead— who, Sir?" ■ ■ ■■

« Wt^Mr.H^rrtljSJr." ' -

" HarreJ ?— (>, very trutf," oHed Meadom,
wich.a face of fatlden rwwHtiftioni '"he (hot
Hntfelf, I riiinkl -dr wafe knoclced dorth, ■of
fomrthtog of' tbiK-foit : I remWnber it ^-

fca]y." ■ ;■ ■ 1 ..-..!.-

" typriy.'^-crifed-Mift'Larolks, "dem'c
let's talk AbcAKiH:, it^ Hie cwdlcft thing I
ever knew in my life. I SfiiJrc 70a I waa ft>
ttiodied/ I.-Aibught lihouid ncVer havcgoc
the bettcatofit.: i reffleonbSrtht rWitoigM
»eRw)}li^'lcadld-<aHciof:aottei)S«ire. t
dBt*-laf ItWd h 'to five Hundred peopl^ Z
tfTiikiYaul tmtrfddtode^tf) t only cdnctiw
liow diflrcflmg !" ■ -

'" "■ An excellent method," crrcd;Mr. Gttf-t
p^r* ■•* to drive 'It but 'of ycwr -own. head,
by drivii^'ittbttythc head* oTtoar neifth^
botirs!. But -venijbu not^raidt^by Ibeb^ttb
^^f^ition.ftf-paflhos, {EO bi^ asmttny-hearta
•s you badiaBd'riorg2" ■ •■• .'■' ■ ■^

" O, I affure you," cried flue, "cvtrf
IMAr Mbs lb letcceffin'o QioGked you've so
notion ; one heard of nothing elfcj all thti
#bHcf Ti*Pt*vingTtiad«6but'itv'* .': ' - '
"V tUciAiy jt^i," icfiod the eitptiitt^*'* tht

' "TA, . was

wis fi?a:rC(i"-i[n"
fibrti af]l (fitea
anti w'frii' if to
-'"But tht^tr
criM'Mifs Lar
1 fteVer WiilTrt
meet tht'wholi
wM fo forry yo
horrid. I afTan
before; it mai
imagine."

"■■THat I ar
Mr. Gbfport, '
ever fo excentt

« Sir Robci
continued Mif
ill you've rio id
ever fince but. f
re! fiad cheatec
immenfe fums
iM-ftatuV'd !"^

""And they
"■ that old Mr.
ihat wheo they
nitfneyon pqrj
Mifs Btverley,
hi^■blit3llof
i«iiiTtt(y, on pu
fori." ' ■

The checks
the deftpeift blu
filcnce chat flie

Google

C E C I L fc A> «9F

aoPffer, Ihe faiJj.wich vhat imcoocCFO fbc
ojuld afTume, " They were very muph miC^

fcifeirit'Mr. Dclvile had no fuch view" .
, " Indeed,?" cried Mr. Gofport, agaia per-
rtlvjng her change of cxmntenance ;" siid is
it p6(nb)e you have a£iiully_cfcaped a ficge;
while every body conctudcd you taken by
aflault ? pray ybcrc is young DclvUc at pr^-.
fent?" '. ■■ , .

" I don't— I can't tell. Sir." .

" Is it long Cncc you have fecn him ?" .

" It js two jnonths," anfwered (be, wkh
yet more hefitationi <* Gnce i was.a; Dclvile-

aftie," ■ ' .

d Mortice, " did not you
as in Sufolk ? I believe,
now, for it was only yef-
his coming downj by a.
led .upon Lady Margaret,
1 fecn a Urangcr, a day or
harlton's door, and when'
E, they told hi|;n his name
idhe wason-avifit at Mr.

ite' conrounded by this
kn6wn tUat.Dclviic had
fclfalarming; but to have
on thus.glarjiiEly expofcd^
dangerous. The juft fvj|^
piciorii.tfi whicKic mMft giv* rife filled her
wjth 3r«id,.^ntijh& palpable t,vp{ion in.whiciv'

^O^lf**" tj^''''''^'^"'"'^' .'^-S'^^^.'^''^'^' ^^

With cj-inr,,r!'in.

ifo C? E C

■ "^ $».<yM had fo
fosti lotiikuig ae h
^^ that you had ft
months ? but no w(

9t 'the trouble lo rei
ftie faw laft ? or wh
(Or adulation* C4n h<
quire whence it com
ifiks are to Mifs Be
from them dl todi
ehem not indivjdu;
tivrly as men j and

Jelf, which fhe is mt
mud probably defiri
chant of Venice, th;
over one by oaci, I

.tell which is which.'
. The gallantgaiel
relief to Cecilia, wh<
ing repiy, wlieu M«
man looks as if he w;

>raifing her eyes, fhc j
back, who, though ,
fiaf^ed, and a handk
and chin, fhe icidan
recxigaJzed to be Dt
In much confterni
got what Ihe meant
eyes, walked filently
five to her motions;
horfeman, and after i

Google

.e E C 3 L J A, 'ft

Hk>{)tMMcl>hlkv&Ci«A>[|nHiWMb<fbre» have
g«4»C'f!Wift';i«evw)«i?^'': -^ Me— no/'— 4n-
(^f«(«i!?fhts f^'I istheve Mij-^liMLTdlf, in.

fw-tihdt^if tcoold fee his face* i dare fay I
Jflwuld'ttciBlUjahini."- ■_ *

- ■" :Hefcems very willing'toknowifheoan
nc^lt^A any of w." faid Mr. Gofport, ** and,
'ifl|i adtiiwe mi^^km, he^ifees much becter
thAn he-is feen." ■

- 'H««M mm^comcup'tothcinn, and>tliougfa
ft glance fuffiocd to difcover the objeft 6f his

^^A^ch, ehe figbt of the party with which (be
-w^S'forrounded made him not dare ftop or
rffA^ -to iicr, and therefore, clapping fpurs
'eO-hiii|iorre, be gaUoped pad them.

" See," cried Morrice, locating after him,
'j^iibt#hetornsrotind toexamineus! Itfron-

dt¥ who he is!"

.1.1* Perhapi feme hrgbwaymarr!" cried Mifs
JUiMTes J " 1 aflure you I am in a prodigi-,
-e^iS''fr'rghri I fliould hate to be robbed (a
lyiH'Oan'i thinffc"

riMWrj-was going to make much the fame
-tSMgeaoi*," hid Mr, Gofpow, " and, if I am

not greatly deceived, -that man is a robber of
-IW "Comrhon fore. What think yovi, Mifs
'rSk^vettey, can yaa difi^ern a thief in dtf-

5rT: «r Noi(i**fe:d i !■ pretend to no fuch ex-

.ilittbrdiMry kiiowledgc,"

I « That's

. Google

71 CECILIA.

, " That's true, for all that you prttfenS is
extraordinary ignorance." . -,
, " I have a good mind,"*, feici Morrice,
** to .ride after him, and fee wh« be is
about."

, " What for?" eikcUimed Ceciliaj gfe»d^
alarmed J "there can certainlybe no occa-
fioH !"

" No, pray don't," cried Mif« LaroIl«,
'■' for 1 aRuie you if he fhould come 6ack to
rob us, ! iboiild die upon the fpot. Nothing
could btf (6 dilflgreeablc ; I fhould fcream fo,
you've no idea."

: Morricc then gave yp the pisopofai,- and
they walked quietly on-t but Ccciiia was ex-
tremely difturbed by [Jiis accident ; the readily
• conjeftured that, impatient for her arrival,
Pelviie Had ridden that way,,to fee what had
retarded lit c, and Ibe wasfenfibie that nothing
could be fo defirabk as an 'immediate expla-~
nation of the motive of her journey. Such a
meeting, ihcrcforf, had fhe been alone, was
jull: whiit flic could have wifhcd, though,
tiius unluckily eocompalTed, it only added
to her anxiety.

Involuntarily, however, (he quickened h^r-
pace, through her eagernefs to be relieved
from fo tiOLiblefome a party : but Mifs La-
roUcs, who was in no fuch hafte, pr otcfted Ihe
coul.l not keep up with her; faying, *' You
don't conGider that 1 have got this fwcet little
dog to carry, and he is fuch a ihockingpiaguc

C E C I L I' a; 73

ttfraiejrou've no notion. Only conceive what

a weight he is !
,■. " Pray, ma'im, cried Morrice, " lee me
iXsitt him for you i I'll be very careful of him,
I promifc you ; and you need not be afraid.
U> ta^ft me, for I underftahd more about dogs
than about any thing."
' Mif$ LaFolles> after many fond careffes,
bcii^ mlly weary, confented^ and Morrice
placad the Uttlc animal before ^lim on horfe-
back: but while tltis matter was adjufting,-
and Mifs Larolles was giving dircAions how
fhe would haveit held, Morrice 'exclaimed,
*'. Look, look! that man is corriing back!
He U certainly watching us. There! now
, he's going off again-!— 1 fuppofc- he faw me •
remiarking him,"

" I dare fay he's laying in wait to rob us,"
fald Mifs 'Larolles j ** fo when we turn off"
the high road, to go to Mrs. Meats, I fuppofe
he'll come galloping after us. It's exc<fflive
horrid, I affure you."

" *Tis a petrifying thing," faid the cap-
tain, ** that one muft always be degoule by
fame wretched being or other of this fort;
but pray be not deranged, 1 will ride after
him, if you pleafe, and domonpoffibie to gee
rid of him."

" Indeed I.wifh you would," ' anfwered
Mifs Larolles, " for I affure you he has put
Aich fhocking notions into rny head, it'siquite
difagreeable^-'

74- C E C I L, I A*

captain, " lo have the honoi^r of ob^y^g
you." ■ And was riding off, when CecMia. ^in
^re^it agitation, called out, *' W Ky^ould yiou
go., Sirf—- he is not in our w^y;i P'^Y ^ct btm.
alone— for what purpofe fhould you fudtiQ
him.'"

" |. hope," (aid Mr. Gofport, " for the
purpofe of faking him joipour campatt)'|.to
'iume part of which I fancy he would.be no
very intolerable addition."

This fpeech again Qlenced CccUU, who
perceived, with the utmoftcowfufion, chat
both Delvile and herfelf wcrp undoubtedly
fufpeftcd by Mr. Gofport, if not alrtady
a£lually betrayed to him. Shie via»-obl^d,
therefore, to let the matter take its courfe-,
rhough quite fick with apprefacnfion left" a
full difcovery fhould follow the projedeid
purfuit,

. The Captain, who wanted not courage,
however deeply in vanity and aiJcftation he
had buried common fenfe, ftood fufpended,
■ upon the rcqueft of Cecilia that he wQaJd'
not go, and, with a fhrug of diftreli, faid,
'[ Give me leave to o«n I am parfaitmaa
ip a ftate tlie molt accablant in the vitorlcL:
nothing could give me greater pleafure tfaao
to piofit of the occafion to aiccommadate
cither of thefe ladies j but as they prooced
upon di0erent principle^;, I am sndeiide to a
dfgrte which way to turn myfclf !"

. « Eut

CECIL 1 ' A. ii-

'^ Putit tothe votf, thcH," faid Morrice ;
*^ the two ladies have both fpokcj now, then,
for the genelenten. Come, Sir," to Mr. Goi-
pert, '> what fay you ?" '■

" O, fetch the culprit back, by all means,'' '
aBfweredhci " aad then let os all infiftupon
his opening his caufe, by telling us in what
he has "offended us; for there is no part of
hiS'bufiaisfb, I believe, with^which wiarelefs
acffuainied."

" Well," faid Morrice, " I'm foraflcing
him a few queftiORS too-; fo is the Capuin j-
fo'evsMy body has fpoke but you. Sir," ad-
dreffing-hi-mfelf to Mr. Meadows; ** So now.
Sir, let's bear yOHf opinion."

Mr. Meadows, appearing whcrfly inatten-
tive, rode on. "Why, Sir! I fay!'' cried
Morriccfulouder, " we are all waiting for
your vote. Pray what is the gentleman's
name? it's duced hard to make him hear one."
'^ His name is Meadows," faid Mifs La-
pollcs, in a low voice,- *' and 1 affure you
ibmctimcs he won't hear people by the hour
together. He's fo exceflive abfcnt you've no
notion. One day he made me fo mad, that-
!• cOiUd not help-crying-j and Mr. Sawyer
*viaG- ftanding by the whole time! and I affure"
you I beiieve lie laughed at me. Only con-
ceive how diftreffing i"
: '• May be," faid Morrice, " it's out of
kafbfulnefs: perhaps he thinks we fhall cut
him Up."

D 2 *l Bafli-

Civ.-.;., Google

fiS e E C I- E, B A.

« ■Bsfliftilnefs," repcBttd »Pfs La&>ll^s s

"'Lord,' yod'don-'c conceive tbe thingatiall.'
Whyhe^satthe vn7 hcadofthe-rfw.There^*
nothing in the world Co falhionable as taking.
no rtotioeof things, and 'ne'pcr feeing people,
and faying- nothing ar aU, and never hearing
a wore)', aftd not kfiowing one's own acquaint-
ance, and alw«^s finding fault. AH the ton
do fo, and I affure you as to Mr. Meadows,'
he's fo exceflivcly courted by every body, tbw:
if he doK but fay afyllablei he thinks it fuch
an immenfe favour, you've no idea."

This account, however little alluring in it-'
felf, of his celebrity, was yet fufficient to make-
Morrice covet his farther acquaintance : for
Morricc was ever attentive to turn his plca-
fure to his profit, and never negligent of his"
-intercft, but when ignorant how to purfue-

■ it. He returned, therefore, to the charge,
though by no means with the fame freedmn

'he had begun it, and lowering'his voice to
a tone of refpeft and fubmillion, he faid,
**■ Pi'ay, Siry may we take the-liberty iQ,*flc
your advictf, whether we ftiall go on, or takc'
a tarn back?" '■■.

Mr. Meadows made not any anfwer j - but

.when Morrice was going to repeat his qucf--

■■^^dn; wicbout' appearing even to kgow ^hat
he was near hirn, he abruptly fuid to IV^fs

'l.aroilfls, '^ Pray what is become 4f Mis.

■ Mtfars'f Idon'c fee her amoflgft ua/' ■.■■yj

■ • . . • Wd

CECILIA. ^

'■ --^itEoidjiMr. Meadows;" e»Qla»nw4 -flic»
** how can yon be fo odiitlEtoo't yowj re-
member fhe went od in a ch«tfe CO >U)c
.'inn?'' ■

" 0,ay, true," cried he; '^I pr<Jtea.Ih3d
quite forgot it ; I beg your pardoni' indeed.
ici, I rccpUca now, — ftie fell off" her
horfe."

'• Her horfe! Why you know ihe was in
her diaifc." ,

" Her chaife was it? — ay, true, fo it
was. Poor thing ! — I am glad ib« was nQt
huf t."

" Not hurt i Why -Ihe's fo cxceGively
bruifedj (he can't ftir a ftep! Only conceive
what a memory you've got 1 "

** I ai?> moll extremely forry for her, in-
deed," cried -he, again ftretching himfejf and
yawning ;" poor foul !— I hope (he won' C
die. I>3 you think (he wiU V'

" Die!"' repeated Mift Larolles, with a
fcream, " Lord, how (hocking! You arc
■ really enough to frighten one to hear you."

.*•■ But, Sir," faid Mbrrice, " 1 wi(h.y<iu
.would be fo kind as to give us your vQte;
the man will elfe be gone fo far, we (ha'n't be
able to overtake him.— Though I do teally
believe that is the very fellow coming back
fo peep ac us aigain !"

'■■ " i am emi^e to a degiieej" cried the

Captain t "he is xertatnly let upon us.asa

- fpy, and I muft reaUy beg leave to enquire qf

D 3 . ' him

78 -C E C

him upon what piitK

And inftantly he roc

" And To will I t

Mifs Larc^lfs fcr
her firft her little d
boy's eagrrnefs to h
on witiiout heed'mg
Thd uneanncfs o
every moment ; th
feemed unavoidable
indifcreet watchfiik
the motives of his >
All Ihe had left to i
inn before thedctcfl
at leaft faving herfi
tion of hearing the r

■low-it.

Even tills, howcv
Mifs Larolles, whor

■qOit, hsrdlyftirred

■anxiety for the dog,
tiiHofity abouc the
(Hfpt'now to tdlk, ar

■fcarcc' moved a yard
had been left, when '

rrtui*n<d.

- " Wecoaldiiot f
fellow," (aid Morrici

"ed> Iprtmlfe yttd; a
. what he's about, for

at a place where tfaci

CECILIA. 79

that WB oonld not tmkr out T»hi<A way he
■ went."
* CR:ilia> relieved and delighted by thjs'vn-

rxpeded efcape, now recovered her compo*-
- lure, and was content to feoncer od withouC
■'.FCpiHing.

" But though wc could not fcht his per-

fon," faid the Captain, ** we have debarrafled
■ovrff^ves lout a fait irom h\s purfoit; I hope,
-therefore, ' M.ifs Larolles will make a rcvolee

of her apprehenfions."

The anfwcr to this 'was nothing bm a loud

fcreatn, with an exclamation, " Lord, wherels

my dog?"

" "Your d(^ ! " cried Morricej looking
-i^^ft, ^' good ftars ! I never rbought of

'• How excefiive barbaroos !** cried Mift
Xtrollet, ■•* ycHi'vc kilkd him> I daw Tay.
-Only think hew (hockingi I hatj rather b4VC
^^n^tmy body ferv^fo in the wttld. IftnU
•wevBr wrgire it, -I aflWre yotK**

■■"■'L.brdi ma'am," faid M«rri£o>.- " ho»
terni yoti fuf^fe IVo killed hkai poor, pttiVf
'vreMurt, I'm fure I liked- 'him- {sUdigiouAy.
1 can't think for my life where he can bc*:
-but I have a notion he mt^'havt droptdowa .
-fonewhf re wkile I bappmed )|o be on the
4ii^^It(^ ■ rilgO'lookhiffithowevBrs <cr
<«e<'WtMN n fueh'a lace (h« 1 'Bevw - t«lf%<

Away agjiio rode Mom««» - , -„

Da "I are

C ,E CI L 1 Af pf

ihg Ugtiifipandy
loaiQMfljfiinclinp
took him poc foi
..-^Mifs Larqlles

i4ea(Jows, called our, •■ i nave a proaigioos
jmmenfe fayoMrtft.^flc.p^ pu, Mr. .Mea-
dows."" -.'■■'.''''.

, '* Ma'am!" cried Mr.Meadowa, with'his
ufual.ftapt^ -

. " Jt'^ oijly to kpow, whether If tl
creature Ihogld come back, yop (
Jud ride up to tiim and (hoot him.
gets.pj iusf Now will you promife

" You are vaftly good," fajid he, with a
■vacant fmile ; " what a charming evening !
Jpo you. love the country ?" " ',

.,,, " Yes, 'vaftly; onTy I'm fo monftrounjr
tired*, I can hardly ftir a ftep.' Do jou like

\tV'y ■ ■ ■ , " , '■",

J,, ".The country? Ono! Ideteftit! Duftjr
hedges, and chirping fparrows! 'Tis anriazing
tq.me any body can exifl upon fuch terniS.
,j,'^ I affure you," cried Mifs Larolles, "I'nj
Q^jie of your, opinion. I hate the country
|o,.you've no notion. I wiih with all my '
Iwju-G H was all under ground. 1 declaf^
when I firft go into it for the fummer. I cry
5^^ A

tv tr^ E; C

fo yon cad't titfnfe.
dpn. — Don't youf"
," Lojidoal" rep
JtitUncholy [ , thf fi
yity. Str4eEs withoi

■wjlho^t Uftenerj I-
ttonal being- can e
immured."

" Lord, Mr. W
grily, " I believe ;
tio where !*'

" True, very (rm
Itig, ** onfe really 1
but yegctati?, and v

I Google

C E C f L f JV ^

^mf lifi^} cfit'fcMty lUctle^lo \r Ins hpoktr
.andcber leg!" : >

- ^ tSlAiiimiieSi in a>pafl!an of gpef^ahen
doiared' fbe"wss certain iSuc'Merrice Ha^
■nMimed' iMitn tittis an purpoic, atid defifcd i»
icatat Whene the vHe vrretcb was f •

*f 'JSe wat To much difcmnpofed at the jti-
cidcntj" replied the Captaii^ " thsc be rode
inSarrcty mootlm- way. I cook up the pretty
icifDUF cherefiorc mffcW,. and Jiane dam »«»'
}i|^Si& not «o linage hinn."
< The uaforbmiite litckanimsl was then de-
irtcred to Mi6 Lnolles ;: «nd afEer tmich I»-
-mcnutiwi, they at kiigch coatiinued therr
tratk^ kody without f^cber adventure,. «i4\iedi
« the inn.

C, H A P. VI.

.A In IB R R o p"rio H*

'nUT here, infbead of finding* as fbe eir*
T*. pc^d, Mrs. Charlton and fre(h hcwfo*
in readlnefs, Cecilia faw neither chailc n^r
-prepatatian; Mrs. Charlton was quietly feat-
cd ity-a~<pariour> aod dtinluDg. tea with Mrs*
Mears.

Vexed and difappotnted, ffic ordered horfe»

immediately CO the chaUe, aod entreated Mn.

D 4 Cturlitoa

il « a c I L r A.

t
■Chartton to lofe-iib mow tiitttt ' Btt« ^k^taS
rlous delayswhich had already rttj^dthnnj
nad madeit now folate that itwite irhporBble
to get into London by day^ght, and : tJhk
Charlton not harifig courage to^bctfponvbe
road after dat-k, had fettled to ftrep at the
inn, arnd purpofcd not tO proceed till cHeiteu
jhorning. ■ ■ rv ..i

Half diftraaed at tMs new diSctriejr^ Oe)>
cilia begged tofpe^ with her akmcy and then
reprefented in tne moftearAeft momMTj tto
abfolute necefHty ttere was ;for her beifig^m
IJondon tfiat night: "Everything," Aid Arf,
^' depends upon it, and the whole'pwpa&
of tny journey-will othcrwife be loft> for 'Mr.
Delviie will elfe think himfclf extreinelf iH
ufed, and to triakc him reparation, I may be
compelled to fubmic to almoll whatever tttms
he (hall propofc." '

Mrs. Charlton, -kind and yielding, with-
ftood not this entreaty, which Cecilia nfiade
'with infinite pain to hcrfelf, from the rtluc-
tance fheftlt to purfuing her own intereft aftd
inclination in oppofition to thofe of her wor-
thy old friend : but as'ftiewas now cirouM-
'4lanced, fbe confidercd the imhiedia^t'profi-
cxition of her journey as Jicr only refbuirce
againft firft irritating Dclvile by an abropt
"diftppointment, and appealing him ncxtby a
conceffion which would make that difa|i->
-pointmeniend^ nothing.

-' -■ -• .. "The

news for

fthoTe^ar

■3ftar.v ■ ■■ ■ ■■..■.■■■-

f ,-. Every one ejfc eagerly defircd toknowiwlio

"Why I'll tell you/* faid he, "howi fpu^d

him ouc, I was chinking in my own mind

iVihit 1 could polTibly do to make amends fof

-ChM-unlucky ac:cidenc about the dogi. and

5«ft thee 1 fpied the very ipan tljat hpd made

_ niftdrophimi fo I thought at leaft I'd find out

jpibo !be wiis*. Irodcupcohiqifoqoiiqk, that

^p^tt|d:not get away from me, though 1 fi^

sAiialy it; was the thing he me^^t. But fiiU

;Jicrkepfiihiinfelf muffled up, Julias hedid be-

i fcrcv Not fo fnug, thought 1, my frico,di I

AftU have you yet ! It'sa fine evening, Sir,

lays I i but he took no notice : (o thent^^mt

more to the point ; Sir, fays I,*I think I haVc

had

8^ c n c

fbi^c where. St'
you have no objef'
glad to ride withy
on, and we hive IM
then, wlrfiout a woi
quirker. Hmwve
r«ft as he, and laid
any thing of that c
at fo Iwfd jirft now i
but no longer i hi
fierce paffiooi and
titnAlefomc. And
I found by his tov
nfooe."

Cecilia, who co'
itgtAn haftebed N
moved on ; but I
them both and tt
pray, Mifs Beverlr

••^ No indeed, 1
vtmolt confuTton,
hear. Come, deat
iate indeed.'"

" O but I mu^
why it was young N
1 faw with you on
2nd that I ufcd. to
Harrel's."
■ " Mr. Delvile
f "tery-ftrangchc :

I Google

C .E C I L 1 A. &7

^.i^nfiim'taiy eontimwd M«ricB> **is
4t:i»ot.fb«lAme j;etticman tliat tra « Mr.

- CetiimfhM'A&id with Dntme and mation,
-ftasftmeced oot, ** No, tio--«i bdicTe not,—
1 «an't t^ i-*4 have not a moment ttt fpaief*

- And'then, m laft, fhe got Mrs. ChaHtoh
twrt ©f: the 'room, and into the ch«ife. Buc
<hither, before Ihe conld drive off, fhe was
foUoved by Mr. Gofportj who gravely came
to oflfer his advice that jfae wouM immediately
lodge ao information at the PoWic-office in
Bowi-StTeetjtiratavcryfnfpictous looking man
had been obfeired loitering in thoic parC9>
who ajipeared to harbour moft dangerous de-

. figns agftinft her pcribn and property.
• Cecilia was too moch confoanded to rally
or repiy, and Mr. Gofport returned w hfs
party with his fpeech unanftwred.

The reft of the journey was vritftotit any
new cafualty, for late as ic was, theyefeaped
t)Ctng robbed : but neither robbers nor new
casualties were waatir^ to m^idcc it OTipleafanc
to Cecilia; the incidents which had already
happened, fufficed for that porpofc ; and the
confcioufnefs of being fo generally betrayed,

- added to the delay of her recantation, prei-
pai*d her for nothing but ■mortj'fications to
herfclf, and conDifts with Dclvile the moft ■
iMtter -and -feverci

It was near ten o'clock before. tfeyamwed

in Pall-Mall. The houlc to which tJclvile

had

had g^c&fUtttAMns r
.ftrvanc &at4oiwtrd}
of it-jfor - thdir reocpti
In the crueU«ft «i
CeetKa then counted
iTilecame. '£he.plar
.^ohdud; with all jjic ;
miftreia> and dfltermi
poincment and indtgr

■ the part flic -had to zi
■tificial ; ihe fighed t
,pincd flie muft have i

yhe infiant ibere v
ihe flew out upon th<
.hearing his well-ki
.for the l<uliffs who. ha
• ings, Ihe ran back to
'*' Ah, madam, aOift
mult I merit, or forfeii
- :" Can you pardon,
entered the room, "
npt in our bond? But
-t».nfi<3niDw, wJicn 1 kn
to-night?"

■ He then nude his
ChaHtor), and, after i
iKwne iier journey, ti
(iv-lio(e uneafyfeiiration:
Inhcrcouatenancet "
he anxtoully, " that 1 1
huher.iUMighti"

L> Google

C E C 'I 1. I a. »9

is cafily excufedi and loam -gladito lee you
,«Di«^^'-kcbMf&ethBPwif©^" ■■
lJShldihcRMtttd ; and Ddvils, Htttr imtgiii-
ing'tWhyii tkmked har inthcwaroicft terms
'-for itet coadekxn&wt. ■ He chut ralated bow
he had been tormenccd by Morrice> eflt{ilired
why 'Mr; iMoiickton>had not actompaDkid
-her^ and what could poRlblf have . taduccil
her-uibrHBkc herjoorn^ fo late^ or, with fb
. large a party, to b« walking upon the high
'Kmd faa«id-of>'hafteii>iigb>Laiidon. . .
w.id* I.wdtidwrKK," ahfwcredihe, moreilea- '
;|Hljry;*' at yoiar furprifct ihoogh LhivenoW
flO'tinir'toiH&n it. You have mever, I And,
**iecei«d my letter?"*

*.v No," cried he, much Anick. by her
maBBCTT "was it to forbid our meeting tfll
, -ID-IB onxjw?"

1.. .-.*'. Tio-morrow 1" (he repeated exptvffivdjr,
jrt^ no J -iD was to forbid--;"
. -'Here the door,wa9 fuddenty opened, and
Morrice burfl; into the room..
'<- The difirtay tod aftottjihmcnt of DcNile
iat the Tight of him, could onl^ be equtlldd
by the confiifio.n and confttrnaiion of Ceciliai
tiot ^orrice. ptfrcritfing' neither, afartiptly
icalied out, " Mifs Beverley, I qditebegyour
psrdm for coming fo lace, but you muft
know——" then ftopping ftiott upon feting
Dclvile, " Good lord," he exclaimed, "if
■here

here is notour
have.not fpare*
,ing off quite ai

*' However
.vilci icqvalty ei
the ebfervstior
wait «poB Mill
•« No, Sir,"
had cojd her al
not I, Mi{sBe
was fure it wa
iitg us about r
thought! had

" And pn
Charlton, muc
trufiDD, " kav

" Why, m;
in the world 1
:I met che:r«ti

L> Google

V «S t 1 1* I A. 91

•* Why, ma*ami I'li «1] ymj btwthac wasj
I.did nptinaui cd h'avecatledtill co-mortcrw
morning; but as I was willing to kriOW if
- tb«>'-{)»AiiUo'n had givm me'^a right direction,
I knocked' ooefoft litile kpock at the dodfi
thinking you might be gene to bed after your
journey, merely to afk if it was the right
houfe ; bat when the fervant toW me there
vi&3L geflcleman with yoo already, 1 thought
there woirfd be no harm in jolt fteppingtoa
moment up ftairs."

" And what. Sir," faid Cecilia, whom
mingled fliame and vexation had hitherto
kept filent, " is your bufintfs with me ?"

" Why, ma'am, 1 only juft called to give
. you a direftion to a moft excellent d<^-doc-
' t«r, as we cM. him, that lives at the corner
«f— " ......

** A dt^-doftor. Sir ?**■ repeated Cecilia,
^ .add what have I to do with any fuch di-
r«<flion?"

. *' Why you muft know, ma'am, I have
beflB^in the greateft concern iraaginat^esbont
that accident which happened to mt whh the

■ poof little dog, and fo;^ -"

- « What Jittie dog. Sir?" cried Delvite,
who now began to conclude he was not fober,
'*Vdo you knwff whatydu are talking of ?"

^Yesj Sir, for it was that veiy 'KtEle 'dog
'you made me drop oat of my arms, by whi?h
' tMAii ht l»dke his other leg."

;-' ,i " /mad«

yi \< rj V I i.^ 1 A.

drop fitr

:r titnej
irc in a f

prcfcnt.' -,. , 1 .

le gone in an inriint, .an-

"1 merely wanted td beg

i Beverley to tell that young

lady that owned the dog, that if (Jie will parry

him to this man, ] am fure he wil^ if)^e.3

cure of him."

" Come, Sir," faid Delvile, canvir^ed
now of his inebriety, "if you pleafc we' will
Walk away together."

■ " I don't mean to take you away. Sir,'
faid MorricCj looking very fign.i6cant]](, ". fo:
I fuppofe you have, riot rode fo hard to go f
foon i but as to me, I'll only write iht djfpc
tipn, and be off,"

Delvile, amazed and irritiFfid ^f ^o nqan

following fpecimens of ignorant afTuranct

10 his prefenc eagemefs, have fen.

g him out of the houfe, had h

t it imprudent, upon fucji an oc

quarrel with him, and imprope

1 hour, to he-lcft behind: he then

rhlle he was writing the direftipj

, in a low voice, that he would g'

ind return in an inftant."

n went together^ leaving Cecil

in an agony of diftrels furpaTing alt fhc ha

hitherto exDcrienced. " Ah. Mrs. Char

L> Google

" vh

\T pi

!etea'i

I difci
vaie'
the I

II his
Ihall

tried to comfort her, byc'
n, and /he fpent her time In

the binereft repining till eleven o'clock.

fclclvile's not returning then added wonder to

her fadnefs, and the impropriety of his return-

ingat all fo late, grev? every inftant more

glaring.

At Tafl:, though in great difturbance, and

tvidcntly much ruffled In his temper, hecamej

**^ 1 feared,'* he cried, " I had pafied the time '
i the torture I have fufFered .
dhasalmortdrivenmewild.
fery to fee you again, — —
■, manner, — the letter you
filled me with alarm, and
I what it is IhaVe to dread,
: to reft a moment without
Tell me, then, why vou
and thus deprefie'd ? Tell
er was to forbid ? Tell me

any th,in^, and every thing, but that you re-

Mo't'.^r condefcenfion."

■""•'-, ■ ' ■ " That

" Th«.lettcr," laid Cecilia, **ViMH3ld
explained to you all. I fc^rce IpioW he
commuDicafe iucontcDtSi ycc 1 hope yoi
hear with- patience what I acknowledge!
refolved upon only from ncccfTity. Xhat
ter lyas to tidl you that tOr-morrow we r
not meet} — it was to prepare you, ind
for Diir mjeetingi peihaps, never morei'^

" Gracious heaven !" exclaimed Jje,' ft
ing, " what is it you mean ?"

, " That 1 have made a promife too rail
be kepti that you muEl pardon tyk \f, late
it is, I retrad, fince I am convinced it \
wrong, and muA be wretched in perfbnni
it."

Confounded and difmaycd, for a mome
he continued fileniC,and then paflkmatcly ca
ed out, " Who has been with you to defan

rue in youropinion ? Who has barbarouf

wronged my charaifter fince 1 left you \a
Monday ? Mr. Monckton received me coldJ;
has he injured me in yourefteem i -TeJl, tt,
me but to whom I owe this chan^, that m
vindication, if itrellores not yourfavour,Ena;
At leaft make you ceafe to blulh that once
was honoured wich fome Ibare of it !"

"It wan ts not to be reftorcd," iiid Ccciiia,
with much fofcnefs, " Cnce it has never been
alienated. Be fatisiied that I think of youas
1 thought when we lalt parted, and generoufly
forbear to reproach me, when I ailurc you I

L; Google

tiQt to difafiprov^"
. .*' Aoj^iMc you dioi' unchanged?" cried
he 0iQrc gently, " and ii your cfleem for me

mi "

*.' 1 thought it juftice to fay fo on#c," cried
Ofitt baftily mtQin^ting hint; " bat exad from .
me nothtog more, it is too Late for us now
totaikmiyJai^r; to-morpowyoontay find
-my letter at Mrs. Hoberts'v and that, fhort
aa it i&t .contains my refolution and its caufe."

" NcvCB," cried he vehenwatJy, " can I
<^t yoa without knowing it ! 1 would, not
linger till to-morrow in i^is fufpeofe to be
mailer of the univerfe !"

« I haive told it you. Sir, already: what-
ewr is clandeftine carries a confcioufiicfs of
^wil, and fo repugnant do 1 find it to my dif-
ppQtion and opinions, that till you ^ve me
back, the promife I fo unworthily made, I
muft,be a.ftraneer Co peace, bccaufe at war
vikh my own adioos afid myfelf."

•.' Recover, then, your peace," cried Del-
vile, with much emotion, " for I here acquit
you of alt promife!— to fetter, to compel
you, were too inhuman to afford me any hap-
pincfa. Yet hear me, difpaflionately hear me,.
gjMi delibo'ate a moment before you refoWc
upon my, exile. Your fcruples 1 am not now
going to combat, 1 grieve that they are fo
powerful, but 1 have no new arguments with
which to oppofc them ; all I have to fay, is»-
that

..^at it i) DM too Uk &» i^ueU't
them."

TniC] Sir, and fii too V»\ -^
ways beft to do right, howevti tai
Viiys betKf to repent, than to {j^t
wrong.".,

•' iiuffCT n«, Iwwwt, jow
Tny family -to nu^e yftU'torgsW
jtourfdfa&wtll astORK'. tsefci
'70U, W mejuilflow.^ conccaV
fear now.uFges me to mention;
I havt had in view is already ^
and in i.vcrv (hortnme there

L> Google

V £. L -1 1^ 1 A. . 97

Ab ittitJcrtirrehce-imnnareria}, 1 did lieitKcr,— *
the door opened, and 1 came in;" '

■■". HefhStfic; tmi Ceiilia was too much ftiock-
*d toai*ftrephiin.

•*■ Now then,*" faid he,' *' weigh your ob-
. jcflions againft the confcqucncfcs which muft
~follo47. It is difcov^rCd 1 attended you in
•towrt; it will bepfefomedlhad yourpermiP-
jfion for ftjcti attendance : to feparaie, there-
fore, n«#;.wiU be to r» purpofe with refpta:
«o thatdelicacy which makes you wtfli it. It
will "be food for conjeilure, for enquiry, fcft*
■•wonder, ahnoft whiles both our names are rc-
membered, and while to me it wiU bring the
-keeneft mifery-in the fevcriiy of mydifap-
pointment, it will caft over your own con—/
dudt a veil of myllery and obfcllriEy wholly
fubverfive of that uncloodcd openneft, that
ffir, tranfparent in^enuourncfi, by which it
hai hitherto been diftinguifhed." ■
'. , " AJas, thenj" iatd-ihe, "-how dreadfully
have I erred, that whitever path I now t^cc
molt. lead me wrong!''

^* You overwhelm 'me with grief," xricd
Delvile, "by finding you thus diftreflVda
when I had hoped — Oh, cruel Ccciiial how
d)€crent to this did I hope to have n>ct youl
^U your doubts fettled, all your fears rcmov-
Jtd, your mind pcrfeftly compoftd, and really,
UQrdtu&anUy, to ratify, the promife with fo
mwh fweetiicfs accoided me! — where -now
arc thofe hojics ! — where now "— ■"
-■ Vol. IV. E "Why

uneafity, *' incjeed it is too late to ftay.'

ought not every objeftion to our union, (
*Mi*'p^tei)t,Wo ^e -wny, »itbo6cf*rt*ei
ifinikin,^co- the cett::iiA<y thivt HMr-itaiiAMi

4WtMifl^>i>n Condon, uifiich hiti^atiiiri i
«turlUrinftaiteea, and u ^rh iitfut§, ^wu-"

** And why,?' Cried -Ceici+ii, angrUjrv *
yftu mention thrm, and yet ftay?'* ; •

"1 imfi i^ak ttow" anfweircd he «
«fuiekfl«fs;< ** or lofo for ev«r M tKat iS'dea
me, sod add totbe twtfery of that lo^,
Jwivt-^iefciiig r«ite£Hon of hftvutg injuved
-«(lh<Mti of aU the world I moft love,'in<Bll
iuf, andmflit revere."

" A»d how injured?" cried-Cteiii*, I
atdrmed and half cti^^iltntfad 9 ''*Surr()r-I n:
<(H«i%etf hftv(; tiv^d roicar now e^ vmct
;«alvn;i&yt^ ■ ■ ■

'** Jf-any one has ever," ■returnediw,.^'
iivvcfav to dare defy it, Mid Bcvtnfeyji&'fl
hW t4ilougb fafe by the eflabli/hed ptAit^
yovlr chirafttr ifout calumny, there ateutt
tif)d'fi:lrcs'lrl« twvidioits attacks, fi«m'whi
no one isf'xc-ntpt.^ndorwhich the triiiieiDn
the fifrriihittiiyiof your mind, will ratttikr y
^tlhe moreltUclepitble: 'r(dicule>haKfiMf

L; Google

iity;'vt.floi:.!ri '■■ w; - ',-:■, ■•..■.;■._ __

AX)fampnn^-<iiH^iiii^)H isIm^*: but 4pc^

mOf,' ::. ■ - ,:■■ .;, , ::.,

'^ a«d.<Jw*ie<li your plan, s^ d<»r'Cecitia,i mm
cfUTftiqly HirtuMie and p««f9r» when you.fef:
^^J%:i^m■S^fYi th(> purport «r fevr jooraff
(111^ juuK be Made ^ (iub%, tttuitwiii n»
)(iiwer,<i}fri«dKiious par raitionaA.'.* .

Ddvilepovfed forth iu&3«arfncftcb«^ for
ri)>* fncndly-iatCFpoGuoii, apd then, ftrength-
'Cncd by Aichtn «ivoeve> k urg^ni 4II ^hw
argunaeMs«tithre<ioubJedhopeaiid^ric. <
. >C^ili^i diik«Hbi!d, unotrcain, CPwfostkiAi
CouM frame her mind to no TtfohitJoo 1 A»
walked about th« roo[n,^libanKcd,--r^tpr-
niined,— wjuered and deliberawd again.—'
Delvi^ then gnew mave urgent, an4''cpr(ifiHI&
Kdibftroagly^he vafiousnwrfi&oatiQAs ^fhiffc
tnuft follow Ip tardy a reni.uiciation.of tih^ir
inteivrion5> that^ cer/ified and perpl«xed» «ih1
ftirUt^jhe kimvih of tiucin -uiuoib v«uld
oow 'be. more tnjurjous: coihcT ihan ilt^ tflttr
fioacittDt -IHe ceafed all oppofiEWn xa histta^
^umcnts, and uRored no wofd» \ni «f iblici.
jMcion>lhai h« WQuld'ieava hcF. ' 1. >
if(' *^ I mil}" cried he» '-* I wilt begone th'm
.vc^tnoment. Tell^BSibut Btftye(a.wiU ihipk
*f wbat 1 h«ve liud, and re&r tm not to your
l«u«-, ' but fingtt yourfelf.w ■pWMtounccBijr
..^ J £ z doom,

910 V '"7

L> Google

C ,E C^ I u. I A,. tar

;on vfcfi' ii t: I'lr^ui.- <>','■■.■■'■■;
aftioni and, the terror bif leaving either 6t(R-
fcisfteB, insde ^lO^ptsnctenctibOrthenlbfAei aad
B^iinfeedrpowsfagHav-^nce;. ■ ' ' '■ ' ■'
■^fiThirhiipfiififis- or milVrywhicb awaited' her
refoliniinhf>ii?<tre t»BC fecdnday confid(*ration*
in tho^fBi^frtil ftttte oTher miBdi Kei'.cfenftn^-
toacVdndwain* fti^itfii ftie lanrjepfed ai M eier*
nahbkit oo hefcharafterjandthfe ohdfeabted
pubUc3iionoflliatconrenCB6(?quill^ioJBriou*
Bihcr fame. Neither retracing nor fulfilling
hffT^ilgagtjmenc could noMrir«rreve whatwa*
paftjf and in the bittcrnefs of regnet for th*
errorjftie had commicre^, (hethoughc happ-
nsr^Gmaitainablr^rthercmainderof herllfe;
In this gloomy defpondenoc paffed itie
night, her eyes never cloffd, her detcrmina-'
tion neverformed. Morning, however, came,
and oponfomeihingtofix was indifpen fable.
■ She now, therefore, finally emji^oyed ht^-^
felf in JstieS]? compiring■^lheJgoodJwich the
«vil of giving Delvik wholly up, 6r becoming,
his for ever. - '

-:Jn -accepting him, fhe was txpoled 'to-all
riaeydi^eatiiTe of his'rcl&tion%' and, 'whi^cft
aflftitedihw'mofr, ta the" indignant ftVchty
ifSMia mothcrt 'but'not'ariotheriebftacle ^oolft
bdfbundrtfaat feenit:d«if'Bn)>> weight co cfp-
poAxhioi. 'I ■ ' ■!>■■' i •■ '■.-■ ■■■■ ■ ■■'■

Min Tttfiiti»-bimilie'wa5 liablotottiederiGon
«£ the woriifl,-co fncers from Grangers, an(t
HmonArances from her frieodS) labecomiiig
£ 3 . 3L uipic

C-E'C' I' I,' r A.'

n Google

C, E. c. i; I. I,. A>

■53

reafon to rfjoice I a d^ded aski tUttUotihfttjl

gift t» &U y«t»x«iiccB>ss^'' '

** Ore 1 lake n, tben/' cried kCf iftiiivok*

Ibat ^Mik» Jdy, {jwi,' and ^ ^^^ "(>^^ "*

<immetton» '^rcH'mcilyDwrfkfMancchiri

.1 mw rathor e««tt yel

ne/dy oi« yoiir hlMi«k

irt*i^di)riH."l liinmt
IhntU^ii'Aieilii^iliit

luS

E*

' This

■.■ii!rki». ywfjthsafsltiif

apprehenlion, and poi
tji^ft.jffJMMgrciU* .im

her d^i^tOAti pUnt^

"Eeiit,;::,[,:j y. ;ii r-. .

p^ifrd,.. afld •Biftia.pT
pafly t^Krm to i)ie- >jdc:

,;AU wa» 'nsw iiifte

l?9f«iy, , iff)wi;y«t potf i
to wifii the ceremony I

L> Google

k^iiM tfasc JtvnJpdrtle 3*^
uitnk iacad ciuiri and^gav^j

to.atigkuOi and:iQ(row. ■ ','.

h'&d naw^zoilkcr fpivitsij

T In ttiis fituacion ihe wSi.9
^ i)]r Uw^viica whole 'Uacuft
file, had failed in bsrafip}
ui be .cqmUpd pv tt)a.t d
ftratle acl ehe fignt ,o€ ^
mdiidcd' tlu^-catirci wi ctrcM
suut'ApgrehenJioa'i,: Qca
couJd nox lpc^,.3bd ihd
*f lAtol-I fliG criad^ " Mri
a^n«.e :all'WheQ- Uflfun
eftcomi howfcctile,. h^
changeable, wiietroiu'' q
cUrinn''-bui^d^gf.1" ...'.' i
DelvUe,, much relieve
. »:&.' %r$n9§;- not "from j

and^i eainsftl}': . :t»i treated
*^.Thc dorgyilian,'' cri
l-haae left.tuin with: ^

jtjaiiat:^ obSadrs bavei^
toimeMicxurreWcs wiih;
ol4r<oitf$r tfbich: w.e ha

renc*'v.v ..-,
**'' 00 Xhi'
♦fly ri p tt»

' Get-e9:i-

(fitey wKftMOi
^»*e* W85«b!)
"■ftijy«lr«srt

L> Google

fffa idmimiaiii o«<~ !^fltii,.y^, hiuHt
""»\, kti'MilUni I JoSf flituM -.fm**, fKBfi

■""'Sg-ihe.SiKi ki fin.tiMMiig titwloAit
°°°irt5<tai axntxliecl )l«iUC<to rtfr, (UMtj

pm'.v^ ■ ., .. - :• , ;„,,

'"';^1cd confeBt, he dlfrnWrf the ch«i(*

"""'Jlat 16 Ihttof her Maid wivrring, al»*
her m » Knw

iteb<)(!-r(!>liir|:ili
« bairifgfr «n<l
Charlton, tr^
if rte pin^itiH
hete JW»He'0t4
Ern «ml himilt
9t re tteialttgir'
Sin|lMiMi>i»lHI

n Google

fin nf at v L-i Si Jii' tof
f I T»rlteW!lll*iy<WWjM » »>»i 8 «^.-yTO* Otx

MWa iii««rwWt)i^ (ImgbiflniKMiiBdntSiA

tUf jlawmiMafailhirryMlairtMlil nrt ianiros
But wIi«imM wMbcllqiaiipifliMAlinliiilia

aUiuitbWItlSlleli-'AslfelilltiafflcntyrtiiutfagB^
teXMlMiKmi D«l»)ledint4nit)<faaiBiHn*i:(:

tacion witiv ht him nmo Jpiak,, er tljt btrea^M
/noAiftili-ti pta^tatint^ MioMMbnM

iMa)»9y'>diUe<^a«iIiiKilfaiill iKfcqUfc.l »)

oomiii ■•••I (• .;■'.;.:. -,-1 m-.Mj i...»,;. ,,

3tA6niBi«d> -jfertefrj inifnBriiindjfiilhw jtif* tt»
UMtl ttttgiri Adiiliti^diribuileaiKllMltcn
grooiti J Delvile ftartcd with am^iemenriM'
l<»l«IIWOI'tltt^(»lliil?praoK>UJ«il«4£3:i-
lkj^i«^|faaAp andi'-fbnck wiUttfibup^ -iM01>]|
AnielaisiMd xau^fac hnU ItiS-iMtil :£lit<t>

i':^rh<'^iiifttritatiBto«d>igcA)MiMefilmlgMi9ft ^

vsttviMTtald e isfemiitfaiiD tlittlt>in)«ll«iln

gHded ouc of the cburdkwft lUd-qutt)^^
wliglttiiiog.

■Etf. Not

mony unnnifhedf — Mrs. CUkflion^ bwAaniiii

turn, and let the fervicc go on. ''^ r.xfrn a.ris

forbid his following hcr,.~ftHlrL61)^otl)r:'plMM
cecdc'd,' .di6u^'rfit«tvicig![;dbig-»d^>t(^al
^iffiinrifa^sii£%irlt6ar:siidr^qrfolf.in>l >• )
. '.' Thia is jnfiipportable!'* ccied EhdiTJleir
WDtli "!edwn3(aK;cii;^jturn,^xOT)]tit'e,rj»dii*—
BjjnfSocfiii* !wmy. wifo^-wii^ is.'it .yottiliBirf
abaydoa;l i i n c j ^ !> >Tniri^:-i-;impibre y»U^ -^sEid
Xfttisire vea/!'- stcrnsh vii<«s:!fr^«St' •Charlton^ .
bring her bacti-tHCecitta,; you raif^ aoe
gbKW.--;) ,.-r .- ■■ .- .n ^rr- " •.,■-.-■,
DdHciintwrsuem^d co nlkc Jiec::h^fid/. but
(hrinking from his touch, in an emphatic,ibiit.
low ir4icfv:ffie.aidi-.*'.Yta»Sir,il teaftM-i^an
InterdiCtimifudtasthisl-i^foi-.thewafild'CDuldl

HnOOArjHdil.l?'. ;,.-■;:, 1 V ■,.: )<).i ? u/I ;■ .'

: t:-5tte tbenm&dean-vfibrt idiaBncvdiaf qaiirk*^

en hernpior.jis-v •; '' ,<■ ;,■■- -.':. r.~>'\ t, ;■,■ ■ >
"^I'.aVhtw," ■ tried. Delvilr^ , half Mntic,
%'Hvrborc'-rBSJ£.tli^ -.tof^o^a -wxHmitfi Tiiir
wretch who has thus wtantooly ideflfojied'
ibbBS" ^h-in- n;; ' , .>..■.''-. -i ■ ■.:■,-.:■. ■'
AndhetirfbnlioutJif dicBburahiiniptiriaio

h^ bUheittbbcea vondcrii^ip££taitof£> came

tlo^ C E CTX r Ai

dtcHned »ny hvh) for htifdf> bot aladlr ai^*

ribridi^rticfc bViUl'tftii^ UU' p^, J^ilnM^
ali^naft nibbed Dfluhr facttltlo;- ^l^g^piS*''
t^ pfopifcd callfnff a ^ifUknei^'cbiitii^ -ffitt^
ctittffiDtb^ 'and thex ftopt'ibt Tcf'at f&c-cMk^''

potdi:""' ■■''^ "■ ■ '-■ '■': ■■ -''■^■^■- ■■■ ''*>■(

thi: 'pew-opdier,^^^ fflti k^etr of iBe'&tiirniM,
iifiro fhe Was, Hnd how ilrt had got i^to' tH*:^
etiircih ^ Siic TtneW of hcri Ifae atifwercd; ri*j>-
tfaang* but that fhe had cortie^iff tit'^i^-
fft^ycrt, and (he fup^bftd:flie haa'bid'fhyitlf,
in it pew when chey iv<erv fmr, ss'ltM^'Mlif'
thought the church «!ti>rty mi^ty, " '■■'i"^''*''

A'nackftey coach 06w drew up, 'and 'Miifo'
the gentlemen were afflfting' Mrs;~tht(ri(6lR'
iintd it, DdviJe rtttirnedi ■> i

" I havApurfued and' enquired," trned'tip/'
•« in vati), I can hekher diftcw-er nor Heairtif '
l^y.-Lfiut what is all this? Whither We jrW'
goio^j-iT^hatdoesthh coach-dff'hc*!?^^^
Mrs.. Charlton, why do you get into itf***
Ceciliii,'Wh«: are 7011 dotiTg'f"' ■"' ^'^'i'

Cecilia turned away &om hini irt''fiRri»t#i/'
The fKotk ihe had receirfd, tookfrbni'^r
all powei- of fpieech, while anitzcnietitiiliffi
nitt'or dep'rivcd ■'herrveti of 'itljef friov icStii
She btiicv^d Dd-ffile- to" Wame, 'ithdugfc>^fi*fc
kiTcw opt in wbar, l>w the obfeuiiiy ol'^ei''

L> Google

nwB^^ncV pw carragf. ,,

4{if4 «fl-.,«ji' ot audrority ortfcred thjecf^hp,
iTVWjf<?! Pali-^^i» and,dieO!tUew.up ,th#,
l^"j((r^,*i«h f( Jpok. of fiei;<iciit& gtihe

. ■: C«<iU»'

n Google

him J yet, offended ^b^.-ibjip. wioivwCj #wt:

her Jfitrits Jfpoicflji le^hHwiMi/ar mv«,mpH4r<!
fying than any verbal reproach. . • ; -3 .*u(:
'"**,IKhumanCeciUa-i",cii«i^hftip(a|5p(wwfyv
^f^t* deftrt nae^at tb<'.v«ijyi3kar V-r^qc^jftimS;
oli?'«i<' <)t4, in^nt tbcmpft ^red rttejs,vitxe:
UMtiflg ijslTTa;ljdlflc»tbus w iqpit' ;M,JHi«;t:
-VwtfW ;C»: .with this difii^itt St ja.tilKK-of.
fuch -diftj»i3^n l---to fcotn iii^))thi]S,i|i^fih».
Au'lly ac the momenc you unjuftly aban^ffiV:.
rSCr!.^'', ■ ; ' -.■■• -y. t .. ,:j .

■•« Toi»ow^adf<J>ifcen«,".,feid.C««Hjtefi
»*covering from her confterparifto, ;'« ii««fc"i

Agnityj wbftt-ifirep«r4(W»dUgr»c« 1" ,.lii!c;cji/>
*■ *f Ob, hcAvenl';' cried, he wjith horfpi^-MidFii
fcny crit«e,-anV oflTi^ace-of mi[«:-hfts,i»ci;»fio«p(iij
tt«« fetftl' Wq«W tjje, whole worid b<Ms, not *.i

Will foortQi,allp,w,U|pt>ftice or.ytouririgmitlbi
. h?y,v«:B«rati(Hi%,,yw h«s owec.eqiwllfdiiJigiii

L> Google

t»«iffid?A rWHIcnawff 4ibvc «itfKT rigkt or tlh>

ttt*ft ia-«(*i iwi(tthg:it.*' ■ ^ %■

.«"W*aft»M»^Hifcrti|k* is tHis!' Ovrrmv
chdii^xB^i^ Wt^e^de ehi&'tfomlAltbd'MTT-
power ?" ..:■-; ■: " -

W'Wto^'liis- importunities, and' dwJidfullTt'
dhlWbW.-kartilypaftbiiTi, and rmiiipftaiisj
UifMft.J'GKarlKm fefuret.rn« +»** yutn, -ttn-
whic^ffa^ lent till th«y rtnchcd the drawing^-,
rtjttrifi,- --■■
GeciIia then rang the bell for her fermnt..
a«d^^gdtv« 'orders' that a p6ft; chaife rh^ht be
finw-fof innftiediately. ■•■■■.

-Delvrte nOwfelt ofl^ihded in his turn j but
fupprefTing his yehciftenbe, . he gravtlyam^
<^ietl7 fiidy ?< petwmincd as you are to leave,
nle> tndi^crenc to my peace, ahd incredulous!
c^ my' *ot^ deign, at lea^, before we partt
t*4>« more lexi^licrt 'in' your aGCufationi ami-
tdllimeif'Jndted' itis- po Bible you can-fufpeOr
tilp»itti«>«>H}f4h who broke' otF'the ceremony^
hjiiiiCTWJ fiwm ter received provocaiinn. for
fiitth'ari'dabniW' ,,;.:.... ^

.^hijiknow -jiiot wkaf »■ fufpefl," faid Ce-"
caiali'-JWhtifeitt^ri^ tWmg is thus involvad'
ir»icA^^:Uif)ty / 'hut I muft: ovrri 1 Ihould'have.
fome difficulty i?o think 'thofe words thb ef-'
foU pf ohttACt^i ta to.credk that {heir- fptaktt
wsB'oMieeafcd without defign." <'

51-K. j'.:. ,.-■ . -' ... f< Xoea

|J4 C H C 1 L P Ai

KftwfuUyi' « t» difawd m#;! so- t?trae:,')»(i
dtipticltyt; and Jso^ginQ I am betfef-^f^f^^^^
w>^ -yw* huppfflds and vffii&^;i^^h4riw«

»^0«,«DO]»aiK)kl'f»wortl»liff^!r'Vnr.(l& i^i'v'"
r^ :^.t>t«H»atevw.jhej',dcpfflHij"f#d[C5K^i^
y;Ii*mi*oo little sdeirfi: :ft)rj.diSru#(ni,;,.,l
WMddrid more^e d3VKi^thai|rfiiperft,i!M0M>
lwi«0iK>of our, pi!«iMcd)ng$',ha>W^p»fpr^

s comhigt ybm witt be'ieadjtj I ft^i^.4?6J?.to
•ftlrtlfeifipeadjl:?"-? ■ ,,^>... ■

and faw CecUia fte«^)btD;H«r(FVfl
Ifuttit^- be ^^,iootth^9kr4ifi

Jnd> -fltf .lip Ae I , i«h4» «^f «

L> Google

o & o I c r A. M5

• C«^Uift» Sttitek byihBfe.»i^aDhfii'njmcd

litem) l»««m on. ■< Tadwijteiftnatite'm

» ft*«t tnawyhis ^adi p0*et k>. mdkc- ni6
ddimii' ^yottr 4jghlj Ihqsgh for ' ber wimitycfi
«<M-aflTgn^<ti:sWfey thtMgh avc»:b«r tfxiDjetioa
im tMvm^ng; unlui«wn-n> i^t fivei- lint-'
dy to aband^if,- attd~maA>^*)t)ilkgt« oo nda n p i
tMi^f^'hift tmrt ctulftdcWM'-in' aSdignr

tMai«kal«Wi«if tfnijl-ehariiMrw 'Willmc

cffiaifttf r whhoBt'deigakig^ bo iaf vUttif^,.

¥MI8ai<»«<HWa««ltriSieiiAe6<>fKin)c<itfttf

i»iflB\if I'wnguiltjp'l''-.' -•-• :•.. .,, : '^oi .1

" .^gBu], Chen," cried Ce^itjaj ^' Ouil iifiifatt

ieailn«l«it«'>'fe<tlKtirAtkdi%ura!udht>r*

i^j^IfadtfaV'')l*aft%eiire'itsrert)rmatl0W^'YM

fl Miiejbit ripltoilikst ><lbf<kn«ic yetir
ji^ak'ii!ilt> ^tlmerwTri «k iprefefii »iyftt
t» 6r^hafte iHftm'Ho' moi*."' ■■ ^ «'^i i-iia.
'--'*Sll(ttr«i»l*tlKm,"'OriW*f( w^hilJlwM
"NH ifnOt^ilitn Ikew bat Ar me the nlDlMiO-
■fiaK«ii|Kirn,Md'l«tytr]r(a l»wnt)ldiii>Bi'

fMictii MMuuc niti>a>u>)r>g,allri futtiiiiUi
jf<iiaif«a'UJM tHbtb ftnmollkh^erkik
t^^MV BM<il(>>«IM«d.i*iUi«u^d<>lg^
even w Igok at what^oa de&toy^» lhoq««ift
tiyli23J' randbiiL

itft cr li t 1 L 1 A.'

I'anaom thoK arrowrs that are poiuted^'W^Ii

IT , wifibj looIA
:ir I' tb«oijgFib
Ffi, thcieqtmf

[kidCepitiahl

. , ri, if it Wili
quiet your mind, if it wilt bctxpr roc^Sncile
you to our, reparation —:—■'? . " ; ~;! "

f' :0h, i«al f^flu^c I" .Utie»upt«d/'itv
*5'Whkt on earth tan quiet i»y.*n:Hn4.t>h«t'teKis'
to bur reparation f-^Give to ntie no CQadeifnbt;
view,— prefervo>Y<xir in-'
■e in your coldnefs, triutnph
of jnfpiring tbofc. feelings
tarn, — 'all, every dbingwi^f
than to talk of our fepanw:

ed.ft)e, '*■ parted,. sornafiHtKi
lepn^ how. is if neW' te-rboj

- " Truft-in my honour 1 .Shew me. but rhe
confidence which I.HviU venture to rH)i)l;de«
i«Tve, and then-will^hacunion nokwgehiiri^
impeded^ which i» future^ 1 aiti-ccntsintSw'tll

■ever he repented!'* .' ■'■ ... ■ -. -f ■ i'<-. ;

" Good heaven, whata rrqoeft Ji fflitfu fot-

implicit would be frenzy^" >* :. .'.■ 1 1., ; .%>

L> Google

" You doubt, then, my integrity ? You

■ 3i Ki9tsag
" Be pati

pKvAabma

-A' /i*»V«j

iwrsii'iTidve
" O tyra

quired mdt

ing?'* ...-..'

•aM yj«,''^crtaiflly."

-•Sij Aifd- may I hot acquaint' you with it,^
ftpokjlflt^t'^ie diffcovercd ?" ,' ' /!"

, iliV/Lrfhsin-not btf (orry to ^ear !t.' AdUu.",'.
■ She was now half way down' tfjc li^ir^j
■w*leaVJ;Ii^fiilg ill PbrbMrarictr, he.lialtily fljtrw .
4tKrhcr, and endeavouring wttopher/callfd-

L> Google

«8i^ ^'JifiyfmfiangtjitBaeaiifl^'ditaAriflite^

if I am not loathfome and abhdiii^eibd)^
O quttfne HOt tifts mfenfibl|flti-wjG«^lW!tmf
bdored Cecilia !— fpcak to me, at teaft, one
- word of icJVievf rity '. , Lank a r mr j? ooe moK^
and tell me we part not ftw cvei !"

Ccciliatben <urnoid round, an^ while^ftartv
ing tcarihewcd hef fympatheCK; diftrefs, faid,
" Why will 70U thws opprefsme with entna*
Ots I ought not to gratify ?— HavT I not ac-
oompanittd you to the altar, — and can yon
,Uaubt what 1 have thought of yo« ?**. ' ■ ■ "

"Have thought 1*—— Oh, Cecilia'!— is it
then' ^ ov«r V

f IVay fufTtir me DO go quietly, and fear
aoC'I fl»)lVgo«ooh»f)pily! >£uppvef8 yourowa
feeling) r&thcr than feek to awaken mint,
Abs ! thore.is little occafioa If^—O^, Mr.
Delviie ! iwere our oonnefVioB oppofird by
BO duty, and rep^nant to nofMcm^ were ic
attended by 'fio impropnety, aiid can'ied'im
with no ncoeflny of difguife,— you would
not thus charge me wieh indiffcr^Rcei yaa
would not -fuipeA me of infcnfibjricyj-iiSh
no! the choice of my heart would dtcn-beiis
glory, and all I now bluth to feel, I Iholuld
openly and with pride acknowledge !" ■". ■>
' She than hurrkd to the chiife, Del'vilepov-'
fuing her with {hanks af»i blefTii^s; laml
gratefully aOuring her, as he handed her into
it,'that he would obey all her injunflionaiiand
notevenattempt to fee her, till he coold^bnbg
her

t; Google

':■.! ii;i' i 4 'it 9 ''■^ T e"^' If .{i ^,19 V, , .' ! , ,

'T*H& jaornisy wM m^ondiolf add ns
. .. dtoos: Mrs. Qrtrtton, exifcmdy fa-
tigued by the unufoa^ hurry and ewslvife
iB»ihtaf:nimdaod'boiiy which Ate h&d lately
.goDe^«hrattgh, nas obi^ed to travel ivarjr
AoMly, and to he upon thr ruad. Cecilia>-
WBfrrwBri w»m nobaftctopr©c«d: ihewas
^ingitD' nooneihr itsAied toifiK', Sic was
•jn^fAhf ■wrthaut'«xpeSatioD lof . meeting with
«k)rdiin^diat couid gWe hrr plea&ire. The
Jikii&wtiinate-CKpedJtion iirwbich>Aie had bevn
eogaged, lo&'h«r now noshinf^but regr«t, dnd
xif^-pitiiniftdjbar m future ^row. and rnor-
lifiostion.

iiiiNUs.'ChtdtoQ, after her retufin homci^ill
contin'urd' Ql, and Cerilia, who cnoftantly at-
ifradisli heti hid tbr additioii&l afftifbon of
imputmg hor tcdi:fpo6uein-to :heHtir. :- Hvny
riib^&e chotfgbt coDlpirtrdeopunifli she^er-
-fam^enhadcommutedi her. procBcdMigs were
dilcDUBivd, duuigih hex motives wcj^uoknowrn j.
the

the Drivile family cotHd net fia\ to hear of
her enwrprize, and while they attribwtcd it to
her temerity, they would exult in rts failure:
but chiefly hung upon her mind the un-
accountable prohibition bf her marfiage.
"Whence that could proceed Ihe was wholly
without ability to. divin*, yet her-ftspmiles
were not rnorc fruftlefs (hah various. At one
moment ftie imagined it fome frolic of Mor-
rice, at another fome perfidy of Moockton,
and at another an idle and unmeaning trick
of fome -ftranger to them all. But non«of
thefe fuppofrtions carried with them any air of
probability ; Morrice, even if he itad watched
their motions and puriucd thcni to the church,
whichhis inquifitive inlperlinence made by no
means impolRble, could yet hardly have had
either time or opportunity to engage any wo-
man in fo extraordinary an undertaking; Mr.
Monckton, however averfe to the conneftion,
■flic confidcred as a mail of too much honour
to break it off in a manner Co alarming and
difgraceful ; and mifchicf fo wanton in any
ftranger, fctmed to require aftiare of unfeeling
effrontery, which could fall to the lot ot fo
few as to make this fuggeftion' unnatural and
.incredible.

Sometimes (he imagi/ied that Delvile might
formerly have been affianced to fome womao,
who,having accidentally difcovertd (ms intcn-

L> Google

,.^fK^<Xv*'^4ikY &fo v^y to her cfteetn (at his
-general-cii^Fa^cr, and her confidence in the
4riP"c& of his probity.

AU] t^eFi:f(>re> was dark and myfterious;
■ ftf}^fi&Aut- wa«. ba,Sled, and meditation was
MfefcfS'- Her ppiniqns were unfixed, anit her
bfiatt was miferable i (he could only be (Ica-
dy_in believipgDelvJlcas unhappy as herfclf,
and only iind confolitioQ in believing him,
alfo as- bipfnelefB. .

. Three day» pa£(ed thus, wnhout incident
W int^geoce ; htr time wholly occupied in
«tfef)dtng Mrs. Charltojv; her thoughts all
cngrofTed upon hcrown.ficuation ; but upon
- the fourth day the was infotroicd that a lady
vas in the parlour, who dcfircd to fpealt
with her.

She prefewly went dowa ftairs, — and,
upon entcriijg the room, perceived Mrs,
DelvUe !

Seized with aftoflilhment and fear, the
ftopt (hort, and, looking aghalV> held by the
door, robbed of all power to rcscive fo iin-
expctSed aod unwelcome a vifitor, by an in-
ternal fenfation of guilt, mingkd with a dread
of difcovery and reproach. ,

Mrs. Delvilc, addrefTrng her with the cold-
eft politenefs, faki, " I fear I have furpr'.frd '
. you i I am lorry I had not time to acquaint
yon of my intention to wait upon you "

Cecilia then, moving from the door, faintly
anfwered, " I cannot, madam, but be ho-.

Vol. IV. F noured

floured by yoor notice, whenever ytju «t
.pleafed to confer ic." . . . .. .

They then fat dowp ; Mrs. Delvtle ptt"
feryiiig an air the moft formal and diftant^ and
jGccilia half finking with apprehenfiTedifhiaj^

After afhortaftd ill-boding filence, "I meaA
not," faidMrs.Delvilc, *' toemb*rraft*diA
jErefs you j I wijl not, therefore, keep yOU in
ilifpenfe of the purport of my vifir. I c*ittt
not to make enquiries, I come nottopat^^Wr'
fmcerity to any trial, iior to cnrture yowpride-
licacy; I difpenfe with all explanation, ibr?
Iiave not one do^bt to folve: I knciOM/^th^
pafled, I know that iTiy fon loves, you.''

Not all her fecfet alarm, nor all the perCur^-
baiion of her fears, had taught Ctrrli* to ejt-
pe£t fo diredt an attack, nor enabled W tt>
bear the (hock of it with anycompofurfi; (he
could not fpeak, ihc could not look atMrs.
Delvilej ftie arofc, and walked to ihe ■wih'-
tiow, without knowing what (he was doing.
. Here, however, her diftrefs was'not likely
to diminifhi for the firft, fight (he faw wai
Fidelle, who barked, and jumped up at the
4vin(loW to tick her hands.

« Good God ! Fidelle here 1" exclaimed
Mrs. DelvilC) amazed.

Cecilia, rotjDy overpowered, covered her
glowing face with both her hands, and funk-
into a chair.

Mrs. Delvile for a few minutes vftks fitefit ■.

L> Google

am making aiiy difcowerjr, nnr fufpeft ii^ of
any defign to develop yoor ferctmieiaa. That
Mortkrief could-Iove-m vainlnerer believed;
that Miis Beireriey, poSdTtn^Xo much merit,
could be blind boicm another, I never ilhcoghc
pofGbkA I mean'not, therefore, to folicit anf
account of -explftnation, but merely mbcg
yoiir pati'ence whiltf I taHcto yoa myfrlf, and
yoorperfniflion tofpeak to you with openneft
aad truth."

Cetilia, though T^cved'by this tiaimneft
from'311 Bpprebenfian of reproach, found irt
her manner x .coldnds chat cohvinced her of
the lofs of her afilei^ton, and in the introduce
tion'to her bufineft a folemnicy that iHciTed
her what ftiefhould decree would be uoalter-
able. She uncovered hrr face to ihcw her
rcfpeftful attention^ but fiie could aot raifc
ic up, bdH could not utter a word.

Mrs. Delvilc thai fcated hcriielf next hci*,
and gravely continued her difcourje.

" Mifs Beverley, however little acquainted
with the ftate ot*«ur family ^fiairs, can fcarce-
ly have been uninformed that a fortune fuch a«
hers feems almoft all that family can defire j
nor can Ihe have failed to obfeive, that het
merit and acoonapUfbmcnts have no whtre
beeaxnorefclt and admired: the choice there*
fore of Mortimer (he could not doubt would
"have 6ur fandion, and when flie honoured
his propofals with her favour, flic might na-
F a turally

ttirafipctmdui^ fiiftgBJW hai^ncfs and plea^

fiirt;cQiail'hi8<^rtB>ds.'' ■'

' i^CccHda^^nptrtDrloacceptingapsltiatianof

wh«:htftc'feliiieBfelfundeit*rTirjg, :nowlifted
•up her headland forcingbeifeiftQ'fpcnkifaid,

" No, madam, t will not decd*oyo»j for. I
-hive never been dcccivicd myfrlf : I preluthed

DQt toexpeil-ijrour approbarion,— thmighr in

itiiOing it 1. havcfor ever loft my own !'*^' -.
** Has Moritmtar* then/' erica (bfci widi

r^;crncft^ " been ftri&ly honourable?' has

lie Fkeither bcguilnl iiarbctra^dy'6u?'''\j'}''
*' '.No, mldani," faid Die, b}uAing>'^.I

hare noihing to reproach him witl*."

" Then he is indeed my fon*" cried Mrs.

Delvile, with emotion } " had he been tifl-

cherous to you, whilt difi^bcdienc to us, I'had

indifpuiabiy renounced him." I- '■■ ■

Cecilia, who now feemed the.onlycotprif^
' Ick heifelf in a ftate of hufniliation nor to be
■ borne; (becollcacd, therefore, ail her rtJp^
, ragCjiand faid,.." i have clcared'Mr. Delvllcj
.- permit liie, maidam, now, to fayfomethitig

for inyrdf." ■ •■■w

) 1 '* Certainly; you cannot ohiige.iAe*trore
.' than by (peaking n^chout difgtiife." - ■ a '■•■

■ 'V k is noD itt the ho^ ©f regaiivsngyour
:' good opinion, — thit, I fefe, is Ibftl-^but
; vmeteiy-t-r'." ■ ■■ '•■i-

■b ,\ " Mo, noi-lofl," faid Mrs.Delvile, "but if
' once it was yet higher, the fault was my own.

L> Google

TO 4bduigaig fqi;exp6ABnm of pn^fefklim*
vhich human nature is-:pefii>pB'Uneqiaal^.>:
cj i^h, tben, 'riibt^it Gntilia^ MliU's^rl
•lie contempt l fo-rmich fsatkA ^sractme^,
and though k «ttjr be faftena^ kLcdn-nero*^
:tKi>>eiMevcd !- !■,' - " '- ■'

'r -**-Spcak, then, awd.iriiih fioccrrty4'''''fee
•cottcinuedk ** sli' }>ou isldtijne; toiirar, mvI
then gram mcyoor .attention' in jTctttcn .to the
yuTptide of my jittfrw journef.'^ ' ' ■
; " I have little^' madam/' anfuncned-tHe
■deprriE*dC«ctta,"'xofay[ yo» cell me yoa
already kndw all thac hai paA; I will not^
therefore, precead to talce anr mirit kotBTt-
vcAlAigih: I will onlj^itddj'thitt say cunlenc
40 this'^tranra<£tion hai-madrinkmirerbbk-'aJ-
CHriVfruai theCiDBieatlgave^u^'Ghact mriint
aiid wiChed to cetruti as' £u9n at.te&^&Ma
'pointed xHKtto iwe my error, find' that circum-
ilancc6:the moft pcryerl'e* noc bUndndti to
prvpriciy, non (lubbornners in wron^, led me
. <lo makcr atidft,.thatfstal attempt,. ul'whifrli
- theieculltrftion, to my taft hour, muH fill xat
with regret and ihamc-" ' ■
,..,, "J %TOijd«rBOti" faidMrsjDcIvjle, " that
in alituaeion. wjiere^elieac^ wasfo much left
vequifittihaa courage, Mifs Beverley Ihoulil
.^l herfelf diftreflcd and unhapp7. A nxind
iugh fl5 iiers could never err with iiapomtyj
, and it is folely from a certaintyof her innate
fcnfeof right, that I venture'to wait *i.pon her
Jiow, and that 1 have any hope to influcnci
F 3 'Ma-

fna w c ^ « ij 1 A.

ber Dpbn vhofe lioAnence' stone oxx wlible
fartiily tnuft m ftnine depends Sball I now
proeeed, or is. thvre any thing 70U vfifii to

tay-firft^"' , • -■

■ *' 'Nn^'madawi, nothing;"

" Hear mc, then, I beg of you,- with' tto
prade termination' W difregaTd- mc, but with
an. equitable refolLition 'to attend -iv- reafoni
and a'candounchai: leaves an opening to aob-^
vii^ion. Not-cafy, indeed, is fuch a' cdfk, tfS
a mind pre- occupied with an iHteniidn to be
guided by the duSatesofindinatioH)-^^ ■

" Ymi wrong me, indeed, mada^ I" in-
fcirnpted CeciNa, greatly bun, ■** my mind
harbours no' fiich intention, it hasno defire
but tobe.gyidedby.duty,.)e-ivwret)died'wiih
a confcioufncAiof hav'iiag failed in i«l I pine,
I lie ken- tu recover niy. own gotfdoptnion^
I Iboutd then no longer feel AMWotthyof
yours ; and wlietberor not I mighc be abkt
to regain it, 1 fliould at leall low this crtiel
depreinon tbac now flnks tnc in your prc^
fcnce!"

" Toregain it," faid Mrs^ DelvWr,' ** ir(<fe
to exercife buE'half yOuc power, which' at-
this moment enables yoo, ifr foch i« jwiw
wi(h, to make me think of -you moir highly
than one human being ever cftought of ano-
ther. ' I^vyou condefcend to fu^d tfiia worth
your while?" ■ —

Cecilia ftarted at the qvieftian ; hw-'heort
iwftt quick with ftniggiing paOions^i flu fai^i

L> Google

slw facrtfid? «M<!H «a*'to fae.jrquired^ and
bffr prkje. h^r ^Srwt^ pwh* vok hjgfi, nt
aad|^i|ifu^-lbp rget^ion 1 bw^^ ddtgo wa>
^ni^^ b)r her «Sb£tions. vhick oppoTed
t^« ip4<@<iflni rai9iiw&t and c«Jid her tbatooe
Jiafty fpoecV-ffligfeE fcpjrate her from Deivile
(or <^vcf4 Whqfi this painful cond'iQ was->
9VQr, 9f «(bich Mrs. Ddvile pwiciul]( waited
(tw if&mj &e wiiw^ied, -with oitKh hefitaEioD^
If- To iK^in your good opinion, madam,
eieadjF., firtitr w I vrIvo ic* — iA ybac I now
. K«rccly-d«r0 hqpe."

f Say 5»t ft)." Qrifd flic, " Tince, if you
(KtfKt^U cuiwimira it, Lpurpafe to point
•Mfo y0M dl& nieiii&4 to recDTtn it, and t»
toU yoHfitfOTi greariy I fti^U think myrclf-
ywi .dttiBir] iti ^'00 -refufe ;not qo. xoi^ojr

. .■:&hpiAoftH ^cGff ilia hJiKg. back; &3r-
fofc G^ ^ ^Wi Ar9Bgch> (htt.idArcd vt-mwc
at fio'profemons { yet, how either 10 fuppoM^
txf.^fpaip k*r .cona|4itaeei . ibe dr^^td go
thjiik.. u,

5*'^'.J floiairto you, jthw*/' Mrs. Delwilr fov
lamn^Wuroc^ " ia-fiUeoame of Mr. »0elr^
«Uii.vH»dI miih^naote c^'Ow vhole fanulf t -.
aiw^H'1'^'^ocioocai it is hanourabU, aa hti^.
neurAblA T«s ii<ta anci«it.> Confider mciaa :
its txtpMkmAWs, ?nd>hear,in me its'convnoin- •
voiaCvCfimEnoiropiniont and common-addr^ft ■?
. , */ -iMy ; fta^ th«' fiipportcr of <»ur houfei jihe
fok iguiralao' e£'iitG .namei and. the heirof -
• : --^ ^ -■ out

L> Google

L> Google

«« C E C I 1. i -A.

oufJ lihited fijrttines, has ftldftcH yftu,' *«
Icnow, fof thciadyof hisdioicci-itmm'ftria-
ly has fixed «pan- ydii-iiis atf^&ioitii ttei?'he

- is ready cb nirhqu'rfh us ail"ih J)tJcftrcnc#*to
fubdumgthetn. To.youffelf hlorie, then,
can we apply, and I ■come to j^jti— " ■ . ■

" O, hold, midanfj, hoJdV* fii^rrtfpted
Cc'ilia, fchofe -courage now' lievlvcd from
refcntmenti *• I know what you would fty j
you come to leli me of yoor difda^j you
«ame t« reproach my prefinnptioB, anti ta
kill int with your fonccmpt ! T^ere isHfttle
occafiun for fuzh aftep^ Jam defAv-ffed, lam
iclf-condemncd already"; fpar« me, tljcrcffsre,
■^ chis infupportableh«miliadon,#oandme-fltoc
with your fcorn^ oppn^Ts' me notwitfa-^dktf
fuperiortty! I aim at flOxx)tnpemidn,-i'U-

- tempt no timficarion, 1 adtnowledge nvfmmn
' litdenefs 8fr readily as yon can dcfpife it, atid

nothirrg but imligiiig' coi^urge me to 4e>

/end it !■'

** BelieMc me" laid Mrs. Delvile, *'T medDt
■- not to hurt oroffend you, and I amfonyif I
~ have appeared to you either arrogant tor'iir.
. tfbfhiog. Tiie peculiar and perilous fi'tuilri^n

of my family has perhaps becrayvd -mevtmia

of&n^re«xpre(&on&, anniinudcme guilty my-
-Yelfof an oftemationwhioh mothers hasofan
'^ li^g;u(Wd m& Ml, Jiideed, can vM arty of us
^ bear the teft tff «xperiment> when tned upba

thofe fubje^ whidi-caU forth ^«or pwtlcular

L> Google

. feir. will .QUI predocnioatCt A*^^ Oienr h^ the
imperfcftUin, of ouc natures, aod clie li^iov-

. nefs of am: fouls. Tet pcquit rp?, I beg, of
■aay incentioaal inlbkncci ^od im^^n? not
that ia-fpeaku)g highly of mf own farpily«
1 meaQ.todepTecuCe,jrours-: oo th^ CQ/itrary,
I tnow it to be refpectable i I kno)w, too,
that werejt thc.iow.elt in fhe kiog'3oin> ithc
full might envy it chaC4C. ^ve bif-fh io -fuch
a daughter." t '

Cecili^ fomewbat loDthcdby this fpeech^
'bcgoed h/ST pardon for havHigiDtercuptt:a hen.
andlhc proceeded.

. V .To ypur fapiiiji,, theoi, I aSWe yot*,
■wh#itever_p^ b* the, pride of our Oiwn, ym
;]^ing;i(s -offspring, w« would not objeift.
With yofir meat we are all wdl acquunced,
your char^i^er.has our hjghcft elteefi). and
ypur/ortttnexxcticdfi even our moft fariguine

- •JfiCirii, Strange at once and afHit^tiag !. that
tioc ajl theft: reqiufices for^the fatisfa£Uon.oc
jji^t^ncs,; oar all thefe allu/fmenu /or the
gratification of happinef;, cao-fuSice to fu^iU
Mprto file*ice the claims of ,*itKer'l There wc
jj^fipther dentwnds .to .which we mi&.siTpnd,
4?n;uuid&^hich 3ticefiry-and'bloQd^4U.up(iji

. ^ ^loud io^B.tt(y ! .St^dt claimants are not to

, i)en^Jefled«ithJrDpunIty4 they aflerti;hcir"

, jighift^ith the author icy. of prcfcripiiofi» thfy
^rbid us alike ^'Itbier to bend K>.ii)clin^t4cvi>

.■fir ftoop to int«re{l. and from geneiation -to

^m^ratiuti Eh^ir iDJuries will call ouc- for v?-

-Fi ."dicf^

A-tfs, ffioillct their noble and long tnUbUfec!
name be vdlumarilyconfigned-rEjofMifi'ifeB;'? j

Cecilia,- «tr«nrly ftrvck. by ithcft: woieds,
fcaroe wendered, fincc faftrohgandfe c&iif-
bliflied were her bpinions, that the-obftaci«
td her marriag;?, though but one, 'flKnjidjS^
tonfiderod as infuptraWe. ■ .'

" Not, therefore, to yottf name ate Twe
averfe," ihe tontinued, " tut finrply ro our
ovJn more partial. To finklhat^irwiecd, mj»i>
ftthct, were bafc and unworthy:-^what, thert#.
#ftuft' be the fhock of my difappointmcntj
fiiould Mortimer DelvUe, the darling of mj
hopes, the laftftirvivorof his hOufc, in-w&gfe
6irth r rejoiced as the promifc of Jtsliipporii
Id whofe acc^drnplifhments I glcvicdi as the
Revival of its luftre.-^fhould He, ftiould srjr
fon be the firft to abandon it! to give op'the
flame he feemed born to make live, ant} ^a
caufe in eflfcft its utter annihilation ^— Ob
how'lhoiild I know my fon when aaalitn. lb
his family! how bear to think I hadcheriftied
in my bofom the betrayer of its dcnreft inte*
^efts, the deftroytr of its very cxiftenccl" •■
■ Cecilia, fcarce more affli'ftfd than offendedj
now h'aftily anfwered, " Not for me,' matfarrri
(hall he comrflit Ihi's crime, nor on my acccfunt
(hall he be reprobated by his family! Think

^('Wifn. rh^r^fnrp_ nn mrtPP. wirh anv referrfilrA

L> Google

ie^vsi^Nudcbag wktujajr^ sod fanr tiitaekfl 0ovt
■itia<.w'ahiActSoot, " ndwi^ui'de IJ«qdw

kappiaetsi wh«n {btHniito be inQi»»p4QiUb
•wh -fcrndwy W ■ -.' . . ■• ■ ".

^•ii^«citiBQcrvCrembl«d-u}d^med-p&t«:j ibf
ftarceknswHerfeif TrhM fttc hwl &id> buti
ihe ioood *^ Mrs; Dclvtle's «>oftnj(3i(ifi ot
ho- words, they had -bccit ptgarcfcd as hcf '
^ML*Tdtn(7uiObDg of ber foo» ^Sbn ti'dHitl/
vriftwd to qiiiit tlie room before flic w»9C^k4

ceiiragc' t^ naakic the «ffixt, nop le rife, fp^aki
,w move. ' ,

'." ■* griere, indted,''' centinued Mrs. DtU
vrkiwhofecoldneTEandauftencywerEchangcd
iataora^dBidir qad compufConi f' H the nceefr
ftty j /kttvribrfin \tnd«r toxJraw fratn you 4
jronaKTmce-iTo paJRfiitj but no cither nsiburce
w&s in ray-power. My iofinenoe with Mor-
titncr,' whaiicvrr.it may be, h bavc not any
right to try, withoucobtaining your previous
conient, fince I regard him myfeU as bound
to you in honour, . and only- coi be releaicd by
fiout'Dwi) virtuous define.: I will 1mv4 yoM,
Jntmi BCFj for myprefence, I fee, ts-opprcifivfc
CO youii Farewell t and wkcji you cm for^vc
me, 1 think you wtii."

F 6 ** 1 have

yourownicligraq;r,'!ind I hweitiohbd^wblainw:) t
t>ut my fel€, fOT-'havin g given yaw aoCs^ii^F; P v '
: ■•* Ala^'* -cried Nusj £kdvilttj '*'Tif wotth
«hd noblrnv&'of'fool onTour parcjifeftecHt
kttdteiulenAsl&dboa s«mine,ivere«(Uw4Ucl« ■
that digiiitywhTcil offends 76« iwqmrWj^birtt-

iiow Fcjoite.in joiinng my -fon' to.eKceU«nc« lil '
SikehifrQvniXnidenrunngilis faappindTG while
3 AimuUtsd'bis'TirHief**' •- < j.l-v

**<£>«( not talktto medfafitAloi>, msdam,^:
laid Cecilia, tarning Away from kivrv*<" what'L.'-
«»«■ yorfhadfOTmero pBft,-*evert yotir ffttclM
isgofwii***'ytwr may pity me, indeed; butyw*-
pity is mixed with contempt, and I -am notife-
atyeft E^.to-find comrort from etcitmg it."

*' Oiliittei"icried MFS.Deiviic, tboWngat"
hcT ■mitiihe titnieft itend«rn(]&, '^'Ikrie do'yM '
fta the ftate af my 'hearty for ■never *ive yM
v:ppKated 'n tnefo worthy as acxfaenFMnmu^'
in ttitimg-yavi'JTem-m^^ri, I-partake all tlve
iwretchednefs 1 ^vej but ■your owtrfenfe sT
^py miift fomcthmg [^td for tbeftrldtrtefa
wiebwWch I aft tip tto mine." ■■'•

■■'She'iArti«n«i(edit(»*iaiistbe-adbr;.:- • i^"

•" H yourrart-ia^ madam," fiidiCcaii*!
^ruf(Q]] ne.io'di(gwfcU«r'\a ward ttig:\aik un*-

L> Google

out^Wiband. vhiterhpr rfcs'gfiftaied.watlL^

,KS*w$i.!ftiA7^.'R» |>8it frdoiijtotrchuS^frJgiiHyi ;
iivhi1ic:m^ibearti(awarntly«dnBires:y6u,'is-aiff t
rn»ft((Bsorctii«n 1-cwi cnddre. I ©h; gemliell
-CmtiAi eondemir not Krntothcr. whn itirmpd'-; .

■hoJdS'terbelKrdtitytithtnk&cbeofltcehcrbtK- 1

hty faufbandviand the re6fttnce of har.-fMiit
■aU,':thc i^ftHccfof fdetnrftic coDiieauoo, aad'
who can QiAy ftcatc tht^'hancwr of her family
.by,4eftn(»li(ig iti:fi*iai;e.l'rTYo» wiil ntc, thtn,
giVje- me yoac hand ?— "" -■. ^ :

XiN'iiift/'wbo.hBd &K96feefI:noC toftc^bat
Jke'-'^itUd.ier ic,- now eoldlyputic AQt* d'lO-
;tftnilyc,*mrK)yi/ig; and feckiflg to;prcfctve her
fteadinefiby avrndingfofpeak. ;Mr«. Ddvilc
4«ok-tft<4nd.«»'fttCpcp^atQd her adicv> atfcc-
rtipoat^Jy pfeffcd « w her hp6 i Geciliafc fta(*- .
JHgv aftdJ&reaikttng fljprc, (fr»m cpcr^ng y«C
^moiher«i agitation, called eut, "-Why>whf .
nti^ Bond«fi:*irfi(uj,i-Tp«yg— tI •cnsrcK you»
•nWKfem:!-:-"- . ■ . ,. .

^■J^!HeavelB.■blefi^7oo,,fny lowe V ftid-Mrt
Drlvile, dropping a tev ppon die hartdibv
i^.ill h<^drf^ beartreQ.ble(»iy<Hf,4Qjd xcftofc-che
TOftqwilihy you To nobly dcfenwr' , '

jng!W((Cpre& any longer cHe tears wjticb now
forced their way down her cheeks, " why will
yo^ bttak my heart with this kindncfs 1 why^

tj4 CECILIA.

will yoaflUl coiT*prfmetar'ki»iei-'ii-wh€tf lioW
lilmoft wiflj,to'h«efD»w-J» .(-' ■'■:'■ ■-.•-

" Noi hate me not/'-Jpid Mw.'Del*!!^,
kifflng ftomJiiw oh«lM ch« telart rii'at vfxthtirii '
themr*hdte me nw, fweectfftiOcitKl, chftiigfc
in' wounding yourgemlrbafttfn, I »rt\ klrinofb
dtteftabltf to n%fM(j fevrn ehe crutl (cenfc
vhioh awalM mewicfewiyfort w*iH natmoi>e '
deepty afflift meJ'^ Boi adieu,^J^t muft -noit- '
p«p9re'for him I"

-She then left the room; bat CeciHa',- whofe
pfide hid) nofJfMWr to rtfift ibisteifderncfs, raft ■
h^Mf tftcr iwp, Tajrirvg, t«' Shall ( not fee yob '
again, madam f* ■ '• ;

** Yan flisll yOVirftlf decide," anRw'red
flie i " if my coming wit! iw)t give you ■more
pain than plcafo-rc, I- will, wjtit- upon you
whenever you pleafe."

Cecilia fig)wd'arfd-TMmfcds;(hc kntfw not
what iio defire, yet rather wifticdany thing i6
txr done;ttian quietly to fit ctown to oninter-
rupted ■ refl^iftion.

" i-hall i poftponp quitting this piace,"
continued Mrs. Delvile, " till-tomwrow
morning and" will you admit roc this aftcr-
nboB, ■woutdil call uport yo«;aga>ni" ' ''* ,
-■■"-I fliouW'be forry/'fwd ffcei (Hll faefifettw'
ing, *' to' detain yon,-"'' i ■ ■ '-^ r^

L> Google

Gf t.} Ci 11 U- I. A.' 131

.p^»m«,--Wt#IIBdrK> ')Wi»ei^-tvr old friend;
and unequal to the u(k of «irplaiDM^ to her the
ow^lfccDeiw^rhicli Aehadjilft been engaged,
^W-^^K^d lahorowqapdrunent. Het hi-
therto HiSedemfMiQiisbrokftfatttvin tenrssnd'
ropioin^i b«f~ ^w WAS'ffnaUy drtexminod^
aiwlitS'decefiiUftaCuMJwaKACtE' more unlv^py'
than Ijumiliaityigi (ht? was c^ienly rejc^^ed by-
ttfc famitjf imhofe sUia^ui the-vus known co
vrifb ; (be was coiiifaellcd to rcfufe thq laijut
of her choiqei choAgh iatiaftedhisaSei^oiu
wcrfrhef '-aW- -A^niUery -Jo- peculiar 4he
found hard- m^f^ipponi and almelt-lftarfiitiig
with conflif^gpafliofls, her hcartaltcmatKly
(welled - frbni ofiendedpndCt and- funk froni
di£tppokited tendernefs*

C H A . P. IX. ■

A.Pb» IT ITRAA TiaK.

^^ftate^ when a mefitfgcr'rfas bfought Iiej*
fhat-a gcntltmaA »'as btlow ft^iirs, who begged
;o have the hcJhour of feeing her. She ct)n-«
chided hp W3S D*lvile,' and the thought, of
incetiif^ tjai merely to com rtimii care what
miift'fcr bitterly afftia him, "rcdoabledlicrdtf-
■ '■ . • trefs.

trefs, sad Ate w4dc<Iowii ifi-4nyagny ^tfffi&-
tturbation and forrow. < ;. -. . ■•}<• iio-'"'-
He met her at thedocr, jifeyr^^bftfonji^
could fpezk, " Mr. DelviliCi^% ibe -crifif^ }9^
hurrying manner, " viity. will .^yoti •C9i9%«<?
"Why will you thas infift: upon fceiijgTfpCa .. W
defiance of every .«bftBcl£, asd in .conte^pc
of my prohibitioni" -i-.

■ ^'Goodheaven8,'*cri*d'hi;jamazed, "whence
thisjeproach ? Did younotfucrmicmertawuic
jipon you -with the refuLt of my eoquirtcsi
Had I not your confent— byt wfcy^io ypulopk-
tjius dilltirbcd ? — YcMir-cyeG arc k^, -r- you
h«re been weeping. — Oh, n^ Cecilia 1 ha^
/.any -Ihare in your forrow ? — iThpfO: tears,
which never flow weakly, tcjl me,h^ejcbeyT—
4u5 M< of them been Ihed upon my account.?**
^ " And whfti," cried fhe, " has been the re-
''4i^t of your^^Aquiiues f-r^Speak. quick, for i
<w(lh to know^-7aiid.in,aaother inAant 1 muft

•,," How flrange," cried the aftoniftied .Ikl-
wile,^' is tbU'^aogugge ! howitrange are,th<e^
Posits !.Wtfarj«.«'hA^onieio-pafs!' Has^ngr

, frefli calaoiity happeotdJ Is thcce j«t fcgie
^kfiil whLftl^,i,4o;nQtie)cpe(^i" > f . , ■-

. . " -Why w#ll >?u "Dot anf^er firft?" crifld
(he ; '.'wlien/h^vip {poken,,}|ou wJil^ed^aflt
iie lefs willing." : . ;. ■

L> Google

V G «tf 1 Lt t- n.. ijf

4^*e jtffta«^*rienced, awS^fiich tore you
ifrooi mc «v6n at the foot of- the- altar^ ftffl
>irfllttk« tnex^traMt, flin contmuf s to bein-
'*n»lvWI'4a-'darknefs and rnyfteryj for che
■wrHkih wKo feparatcd us I haw -BeVer- beca
'■bte'lb.difwer."

■'* Have ^H» pHjcured, then, no' inwlit^
gcnce?"

- •"'♦'.Noi'nftife; thiragMinoewe parted 1 have
•never pefted a iWDment."
r ■"•MstKithen, no farther enquiry, for now
-aH-eiipJsnatton wtmtd- be' ofelcfs. That we
■«<rrpafwdj we-kitow, thongh ijoby we can-
"•hdC teH: btK that a^ain we fliall ever meet—"
t- ' Shtffloptr -her ftreamtng eyes caft upwardi,
and aideep ^h burfting from her heart.. ■ ' '
" Ob -what," cried DelvitT, endeaTOuridg
to take her hand, which Ihe h«ftHy withdrew
•^roiliiiiFn, "'What does this iBftin-? iovelieft,
><leJtreft Cecilia, n^-betrorhetl, my afBaiiced
wife ! why Sow chofe tears which agony «n)f
■nban wring from you ?-»— Wtiy refdfc me ihat
-hartd^hiclMtf.ktely was^ f^dgi of yeflr
yaith? Ami not the ftmcBrfvileio whom ib
>fe4pda)rs ftncd you gav% ni Why will yoo'noc
•open to him your heftrt? Why chus diftnift
'AU honour, and «ptat<e Ills tcnderncfs ? Oh
M)^; giving him foeh«xt}tafue aitfery, refiife
Aim the fmalleft confolatiori'?"

■f^.-.^cWhat'Confolation," cried the weeping
:<Cmlk, " ean I givti Alas ! it i« inr, pcp-

- ^ifis^'juHMrho<«aoft'«aac ici— " ■

Here

>3» iJ tS. U I L. L A.

Here tbe door vasiopcBfdby^ onp of the

.MH*s CKai-ltoos, wbacamc into theTOonrwitlv
3 mefiagefromJjcr grii)dh*noBherj icqiiefting
-toTettOcrlta. Cecilia, alhamnloffcribg thus
.fwrprif«ci widi Delvilc, anH> in Kinjilwaiced
not cither to make any exdiife tohim, or any
an&vertO'.Mil^Ch^rlnin, bqt inftantly hurried
out of the room ; — not, however, to her ot4
friend, whcun now-'Idfit rthan ever Oirctiuld
mett, but toherownapartnaentjwheyea-Terjr
'ikcrtindoignKrctif grief.wa»'fu(tccedcd by the
Arvercft examtnasion of bevown condud.

A retrofpeflion of this forr rarciy b?ings
much fubje£t of exuitation, whcm made with
.the rigid fmcerity of fecret impariiality : fo
much ftfonjier is our rearfijn cft,an pur viMu«j
■io mtrch higher, one -.iknte. of duty than our
■yerformaticef!:

-1-Ali"fl>e hatiiionfi'ftenowrfpmtod-, aU'fkc
hadlaitifbeidiiapprtved; her condu(9:,.'feJck>(n
rtfoal ta her naclfMi s off i ght; was now vnAnueJiy
bflloiPtlicm,'anditbercpro»chei of herjudg*-
menCimade^ilrBifvi^get ibv a.wltilcthe afflfb'
dfm» wJvichiJniiiiimtfled tt. ".

The foiwow to whichflie bad ofjcnly gnren

WBV in thr nrttfe^re.af i)pl»ile. .-WAuffh fhtttr

L> Google

^U Ui \r A i^ Ji i^. (J9

vaf uDderftan^ng it is-ttoM to-canccl. I am

not tobe his,— -myowniroice has ratified tb«
[Zounciattoov'Oiii'^ce I made it to his mo-
ther, it muft QCTBP, wiihout her confcnr, be
hnnilidaieal.'i Honour, thewfoie; to her, Snd
re^rd formyfelf, cquaHyconjiriarwi me to fljr
him,, all I ceaTc to bethns aSaHcd by hi>
fight:" , ■

. *i^bea:I>ei(nlr, tttrreforrr fentap anOn-
tfcaty that. he might ha ag^aladmitted ints
hen prefsncci ftie vzvtme^ioi ar^mtr thailhc
was Dot veH, add coiiM rtoc frfanrybody. '-.
- Heitben.lefi thehoufe, aod in a few mii-
nucesiihe Kcciv«d the folloving note fiom '
J«m. ,1- ■ . ' \: ' *••

■-. ■ ;i - ■ ■ ; ■'. .*'

.. - To MiferBlFSlLl*..' :'i

■ ■ YOtlMJrire.iBefnii!n.)roa, GeeSiajtdrturei
with fidpenfe, »nd diftra£led vrith apprehrtt-
£<Mij— 3«w driwc'ine from you, certain of
mf mirft^, yet leaylngmetabearitas I may!
IvDntd vjAhyoui9nieelm^,i:ivt^xi-favryoii
v/ere imhappy:;; I, wbuitl; refnuJach you v»A-
tyranny, but chat your eyes when you quitted
me wece fwoio widiWee^gl 1 go, therefore,
1 obey the harfh mandacej fince my abfenceis
your defire, and I will (hut mylrlf up at Bid-
(toiph's till i receive yourcommartda, lYet
i^jclain nbt to reAedl that every inftantiwi4
icem endkfSy while Cecilia muA appedrto me
■,.,~j (■ .inf ;, - unjoft^

I40 CECILIA.

urqiift, or wound my very foul by the recot-
kdiofl of her in forrow.

Mortimer. Delvile,

The mixture of fondnefs and -refentment
with which this letter was dilated, marked
fo ftrongiy the fofferings and dirordere-d ftate
of the writer, that all the foftnefs of Cecitia
retiirncd when fhe perufed it, and left her not
»,wi(h but toleffen his inquietude, by alTur-
«nces of unalterable regard ; yet /he deter-
mined n»t to truft- kerfci f in his fight, certain
tbeycouid only meet to grieve ovcreach other,
And ronfcious that a psrticipacion of forrow
would but prove areciprocation of teaderneik.
Calling, therefore, upon her duty to refill her
inclination, ihc refelved to cbmiiiir the whoje
irfairfo the will of Mrs, DeWile, w whom,
thoirgh' uiwfcr rio prorrnfe, (he now confidered
hfrfelf rcfpoiifible. Defirous, however, to
■^orrcn the period fff Delvilc's unccriajnty,
ihe wotild not w^ic till the time (be h^d ap-
^intedto fee his mother, but wrote the fol-
lowing nose ltd haften their meeting.

To the Hon, Mis. Dstvitz.

Madam,

Vniir Trtn ia nAw 4r 'Ttvirv -■ (haW f arnitarnt:

L> Google

itgard myfeif no loriger; if* as yours, I can
give pleafure, or, be of fervicc, 1 fliail gladly
receive .y^w commands. I have the honour
to be,'

Majda^n, ,

Yovr Boofl: obt dicnt ftrvanr,

-.. ,' V Cesilia Be-TBRLE-K.

"eivt off this letter, Jier heart

becaufe reconciled with hqr

ad facriiiced.the fpn, (he had

to ihe,hi^b*y:f ii now only

her wounded pride^ byJuE*

:e with idigniiy, and lo j«j~

lilljty in. virtue, by.making

fithoot repining.

i8» IQO, growing clearer as

311. »as difpetfed, -ftic recol-

fufiQn h^r.fold and. fuUf^

rs. .Uelvile. Thjit ladjt had

le ,Hid believed was her di*^yv

as no mote than Ibc had been

taught to expert frpjri her. In the beginning

of her vifit, and ij^hiJe doubtful of its fuccefs,

ihe had, indeed, been auftcre, . but itfce mo-

/Tiefi.tyi^ry appeared ia view, Ihe bepame

teiiyer*,,affedicnatc, and gentle. Hff jufticc,

, <h'cfefoie,condcniiied the rclVaiiiwrit towhich

t ific^ hair ^i.vcn way, and (he.foriified her.jwind

.for the interview which was to follow, by

an c«rBe(t defers to make Titration both €cf
Mrs. Delvile and hn-felf for that which was
paft.

In this refolution flie was nota litrfe
ftrengthened, by ferioufly confideritig with
herfelf the great abatemenrt'd^U-ficr pofTiblc
happinefs, which muft have been made by
the hemiliating circumft^ncie of forcing her-
felf into a fannily which held all cdqtieftiora'
mth her as difgrACeful, She deftred noc
to be the wife even of Delvite upon fuch
terms, for the mopc flit ett«*nwd iand ad-
mired him, theit)orc'fln»iotf8 (he btfCame^for
his honour, and the lefs could the fndWrfi
being regarded herfelf ^'theoccafion of its
diminution.

■ Now, therefore, hrr plan Of condiift fet'
tjed, with calmer 'fpirits, thoogh a heavy
heart, Ihe attended upon Mr6. ChafUon; bfiC
fearing to lofe the ftaadinefs Ihe had juft ac-
quired before it ihould be called upon, if fhft
truftediberfelfto relate the decifion which had
been made, die bcfought he r for the prefcnt
to difpsnfe with ihie account, and then forced
hcrftlf into conKEfation upon lefs intcrefting
fubjeiSs.

, This prurieuce had its proper effeft, and
witii tolerable tranquillity ihe htfard Mts,
Delvile again announced, and waited upon

L> Google

her the vaCrMnt 4ie appcliflidl;"aai^ *M-ow-
ing her arms around her, warmly exc!a!ritftd,-
* Oh, dharmirig giH' SivWffef 6i.ir family !
pteferverof our honO^f! Ha'Wpooi' ore word^
to exf,rt(k Ai^ aAmit^tkml'M^ in^d^uate
are thanks in returftt4<W flietii»bKgatio#'asf
owe you !'^ - " ■■■ "'■ ^-''•■' ' -»»■■ ■'

** You «we rt* :rt(«ifc/ Wi'adHnfij" faid Ce-
cilia, foppfcfl»ng;"4 figh J-" on 'H^ fide will
be all ri* -eibligation, if jwi can pardon the
petulance ofttiy toehdi'iOtH-this moyn^ng.**-
■ ^' GftJI TTOt-by-foliWlbx Bfime;" Bftfwered
Mrs. Delviie^ " the keennefs of a ferrfibility
by whlch^'^yioii' fia^fy ystf^e/f-ilone been th^
iuffercr. -Ymi-hs/ve^had^'tHal theVnoft fe"
vcre, and, howcv^r^-ab'lt to fliftarn, it Wa^
irtTpiffibl* you-ftiouW Ret feel it. That /ou
ftwwid-give up »^rti9t>. wHofc Iricnds fofici?
not your alliance;' ^ufr rtiihtiisfioo delic^ttf
l» Hiatee wdmieHtil V but your getiertfny'in ,
firtmnJtclHgj unafted, :<h(J airangemenrof thad
iwfigfVatiOn to thofe ■fbr'vthctfc intereftr it is
made, and yotlr;hi«3;h'fei>fe>oftibfeour in hold-
ing, yourfelf accountable to me, thowgh un-
der no 'tie, and bhund by no promife, mark a
greatneft-of miivd which calls for FcVertnce
rather than thanks, and which I never tin
^raife'hiif fd initch as l('a^mirci'*' ■

Cecilia, wh&recei»*d this applaufc but ai

a confinrtatioil-of her rjjcftiaih -thanked her

only by courtclying } and Mrs. Delvile -hav^

ing

L> Google

tng firated herfetf next her, coiuinued he*

fpeech.

" My Ton, you have the goodncfs to tett

pic, is here— rhaye yoyi freti hifii ?" , .

. " .Yes, madam^" it^si(txed Qitf bhifix'mg,

" but hardly for ^rpogieM-"^

*• And Fic knows not of my arrival ?"

" No, — 1 bt'lieve, he ccFtairvly does not.**

*' Sad, then, is the trials vjivi^^^w^ts hin?^

and heavy foF me the office I mu(t perfoim.

Do you expefk to^e him again?!'

■ " No, — yes, — ; perhaps» — indeed f
fcardly — — "

■ She (latnmered, and Mrs. Delvileji taking:
fier hand, faid, "Tell me, Mifs-Beyerley, tvhy
Ihould yo.u fee him -^ainS"

Cecilia was thuadcr- ftruck by this qiieP-
tion, and, colouring yet frorc deeply, looked
down, but could not anfwer..

" Confider," continued Mrs.DclvUe, "the
farpoje of any farther meedng t ycwr union
is impoinble, you have nobly coofcnted tO'
relinquifti. all thoughts of it ; why then tear
yotir own heart, and torture his, by an in-
tercourfc which feems nothing but an ill-
judged invitation to fruitlefs.and unavailing
forrqw ?"

Cecilia vras ftitl filent; the trmh of the
expoftoUtion her reafon acknowledged, biic
tn aflcnr to its rnnrt*i>tifnrc her whole hpart.

L; Google

■■ ** The: nngenerons triumph of little fe-
male vanity," faid Mrs. Dclvile, *' is far, I
am lure, from your mind, of which the en-
largement aod liberaliry will rather find codW
fblation froni lefleii'ing than from embittering
his firf}i:rings. Speak to me, then, and tell
the, honeftly, judtciotifly, Candidly tell me, —
will it hot be'wifcr and more ri^ht, to avoid
ifather than feek' aii'objedt which can bnly
give birth' to regret ? an ' interview which
c{tn eKcite no icnfations but of mifery and ,
fednefs?"' '■ ;• :

Cecilia then turned pale, (he endeavoured
to fpeak, but could not; Che'wifhed to comj-
ply — yet to think Ihe had feen him for the
laft time, to fcmember how abruptly (he hati
parted froni him, and to feir (he had treated
liim unkiodtyj- — thefc w«reobfl:acles which
oppoied her concorrence-i though both judg-
ment and propriety demanded it,

'* Can you, then," faid Mrs. Detvile, af-
ter A paule^ " can you with to fee Mortimer
merely to behold his grief? Can youdcfire
be (hould^fee you, only to fharpen his afflic-
tjoo atyourlolsf"

** O no!" cried Cecilia, to whom this re-
proof reftored fpecch and refolution, " I am
jnot fo dcfpicabie, I am not, I hope, fo tin-
worthy ! — I will be ruled by you wholly; I
will commit to you- every thing i — yet o«ff,
perhaps, — no more ! "

Vol. IV. G " Ah.

L> Google

" Ah, my dear Mifi Be«riey ! to meet
confefiedly for cift"*, — what were that but
planting a dagger in the heart of Mortimer ?
V/hac were it but in^uling poifwi into your
«wn ?" ■ ,. ' ,

" Ifyoir think fivmadafn/' faid fi»t, " I
hid better — L «fiU ^certainly— " flic ^hcd>
ftammercd, and ftppt. ; , ".'

"Hear me," cried Mr^. IjWvilp,' '* and
tather let me try to cppyipco.th^o pepftwde
yoij, • Wcre.thcre any poflibility, by «g«-
ment, by. reflettioo, or e;vcnby accidciit, to
reoaaye theobiitacle&to.our CDn.iutAion, then
"would it be well to meet, f^r^hc^ might dlC~
culTioa curn.to a<:;count,;and an ioteccjiange
of &ntiments be produflive oC feme happjr
expedient: but-t^re— i-'*

She ^he[ltated, and, Cecilia, fhocked and
afhajnt'd, turned away her face, and crifd,
•' I know, madam, what you would faiyi-«-
here all is over ! and th«r«fbre»T-"

" Yet fuffer me," interrupted (he, '^ to
be explicit, fince we fpeak upon this matter ■
now for the laft tinir. Here, then, 1 fay,
whfre not one doubt remains, where ali is
iia-i)Iy, though not happily decided, wliat can
an interview producer Mifchjef ot cvcryfor*^
pain, horror, and rcpipingl To.Mortimer you
may chink it would be kind, and grant itio
his. oravers. as an alkviaiion.of his milerv i

L; Google

(J £, tj I L. I A. 147

fell his pfu<Jen« wotrfd b* extinguHhcd, his
fbiil Would be twn T*ith refentment and re-
gm, and force, only, would part him from
y«<(, whenprevioufly he knew that parting
vras to be eternal. To yourfelf — "
■ *•. Taflt hotj mudami of me,"' cr'ted the
^flhjppyGccilia, " what you fay of your fon
is fufficient, and I wlH" yield — "
' ' " Yet hrttr' me,''* proceeded Sic, " and
bdieveint n&t ft ttrijuft as to eonfider him
«)pM i' yoii, alfb, would be an equal, though
*'Ieft"ftorfny TuBfferer. You fancy, at this
moment, thitoncemore io meet him would
ioothc yoiiir uneafinefs, lAid that to take of
him a fartwelj would fbften the pain of the
fcparatioh: hbw "falfe Toch reafaning ! how
dangerous foch confotarlo'n !' acquainted eri:
yoo iiwet that-yoa wcrt to meet him' no
more^ yourheart would be all foftnefs'and
griefj 4nd a't the very moment when tender-
neft (hould be baniftied from yovr intertburfe,
k T*ouWbear 4o*vn alt oppofition of judg-
BJtntj'^rif, and dignity; you would hang
Bpon- etfWy- word', becaufc every word would
fcem the laft^ eVe'ry' look, every expreflioa
would beriveited in your memory, and his
image ift-thispartirigdiftrcfs would be painted
upon your mihd, in colours that would eat
into its peactfi and perhaps never beerafed."

" Enough, enough," faid Cecilia, " I will
not fee him,— I will not even defire it !"

G 2 « If

" Is this compliance or conviftion? Ta
what I have laid true, or only terrifying?"

" Both, both! 1 believe, indeed, the con-
flift would have overpowered me. — I frc
you are righr,'— and 1 thank you, madam,
for faving me from a fcenc I might fo cruelty
have rued,",

** Oh, daughter-of mynjind!" cried Mrs.
Dclvile, rifing and embracing her, " noble,
generous, yet gentle Cecilia! what tie, what
connexion, could make you more dear to
me? Who is there like you? Who half lb
excellent ? So open to reafon> ib ingenuous
in error! fo raiionai ! fojuft! fo feeling, yet
- fo- wife!"
_ " You are very good," faid Cecilia, wi:K
^ forced ferenity, " and Lam thankful that
your rdentment fqr the pad oblUu<^s not
■ your lenity few the prcfcnt."

'• -Alas, my love, how Ihall I rffent the
pall, when I oughc myfelf to have forcfeen
this calamity ! and I Jheuld have forcfeen it,
had 1 not been infornncd you weie engaged,
and upon your engagement built our fecuri-
ty. ,Eifc had J been ino;ie alarmed, for royown
admiration would have bid, me look for,wiu-(J
to my itjn's. You were juft, indeed, the wo-
man he had leaft chance to rtfift, you were
precifcly the cliaraticr.co fcize his very foul.
To a Ibftnefs the nioit fatally allurinii. vou

L> Google

\^ H. \^ I L. t A, 149

wiircrs. Tou ftem born to have ^1 the world
wifh yourexalration, and no part of it mur-
mar at your fupcriority. Were any obftacle
bat this infuperabie one in the w^y, ftiouU
wiles, nay, fhonkl.prinees offer their daugh-
ters to my eleftion, I would rcjcft without
murmuring the moft magnificent propofal!,
and take in triumph to my heart my fon's
nobler choice'.'* ■ ■

. " Oh, madam," cried Cecilia, " talk not
to me thus! — fpeak not fuch flattering
words!— ah, rather fcorn and upbraid me,
tell mc you defpiCc my charafler, my family,
and my -connexions, — load, load mc with
contempt, but do not thus torture me with
approbation I"

- *' Pardon me, fwecteft ,girl, if I have
awakened' thdfe emotions you fo wifely feelc
to fubdue. May my fon but emulate your
example, and- my pride- in his virtue ftiall
be the folace -of my affliftiori for his misfor-
tunes."

She then tenderly embfaccd her, and ab-
ruptly took her leave.

Cecilia had n6w afled her part, and aftetf
it to her own fatisfaftiohj but the curtaio
dtopt when Mrs. Delvile lefc the houfe, na-
ture refumed her rights^ and the forrow of
her heaf: was no longer difguifcd orrepreflTcd.
Some faint ray of hope had till now broke-
through the glooitiieft cloud of her mi-
ieryj and fecr«ly fl^iittcred -her chat its diA
.... G 3 pcrfion

pcrfion vru ]
ray was excii
had fblemnl
Tight, and hi
tba£ even tli
the laft ttm(

Mrs. Cha
nation of t.
Tent again
her. Cecil
t'cared encrc
"telligcncefti
gled, thercff
calmntfs, ai
piQjed, forb
her own fee]

Mrs. Cha
Mtmoft cone
icverityj aw
f he ftrange .
ceremony h;
it had not
means to ha^
fatal interpc

But the g
induced her
mourned on
lioned the i
\f hi^h had n

n Google

tint Ibc hzd put letftvs nearef trial; fbirow
mtixliiftifl.i'd.Gv fwhcrmrnd was rao libearat
to harbour Kdemmeticagaitifl; scoaduft whiclk
ike- Skm Was 6i^xedi by a; feois orf righf, and
teff dudxlcand .coo affe&ianat*: to> temaiA
omnovcd by the perfonal kindne^ wliicb had
ibftened the n^dion^ and ths many markt
<^ efteem aad regzrd.'v/Hch had ^wn her it
was ]amented> tlwughi confidered as iudif-
Iwnfable.' : .

. BoMT and by whom tbid aflTair bad beeit
betrayed to Mrs. Delvile flie knew nocj but
cbe dilcovcry was nothing lefs than furprif-
ing, fmcc, by vanous unfortunate accidents^
it was known to fa many, and Cvacc, in the
hortot and coafufionof the aiyftcrious pro-
hibjdon [o the marriagr, noidier Delvitt! not
herlHf had c*?)Ught of, even, attempting' to
gifBaayeiDtioa tathtwiinc^tlsuf thacfoenr-,
oM tt^ make it known: anaxtaupc^ hew-
«ser, «hnih muftalmolbnedc^nly havobeeil'
luiavartittgi a^ the iilcideM: was too exttmr- ■
dinary and. too- fiRguler oc^ hav« any chaade
©f fuppireffibn.

: During thii oanveirlacionr one of the fer-
vants came to inform Cecilia, that » mM
■was below to cnqmrc if there was no anfwer'
to the note he had: brought in the fore-
soon. - : ' ■ ,
^.Geciiia^ grcittf]idt(Vreiftd^>kntfW not-upo»
i>ba:itQ fi^«4V% ;■ Tt^dt the patience of Delvilc '
ftaukt'b&'dhauft^dj' Hw- did itoE, indeod*.

.:».ij G 4 - wonder^

wonder, and to>cl!evc his anxiety was now
almoft hrr only wifli ; &e would therefore
ihftantly have written to him, confcffed her
fympathy in his fufferings, and befoughc
him to endure with fortitude an evil which
was no longer to be withftood ; but ftie was
uncertain whether he was yet acq^uainted
with the journey of his mother to Bury,
and having agreed to commit to-"her the
whole management of the affair, fhe feare4
it wotild be diftionduj-able' to take any rtep in
it without her concurrence. She returnedi
ttifrefore, a raeffage that (he had yet no an-
fwer ready- ■

in a very few miniices Delvile called him-
felf, and fent up an earnelt requeft for p^r^
milTlori to fee her.

Here, at leaft,. (he had no perplexi'ty; ah
interview fhe had given her pofiwvewordto
refufe, and thercfoire, without a moment's
hefitatton, (he bid the fetvant inform him ftie
Was particularly engaged, and lorry itwas not
in her power to fee: any company.'

In the greateft pcrtiirbatitui he left the
houfc, and imnwdiately wrote to her the fol- ■
lowing lines. ' '

To Mifs B B V E R t B y.

I entreat you to fte Ttit\ if only fot-'ah
Inftani, I entreat, -I implore you to fee triti

L; Google

world, if; you wiih it, may be prefcnc,—
^ut deny me not admiBaoa, I rupplicace, I
conjure you 1

- 1 will cal^ in aa hour; in that time you
may have:.fiDiIhad yoqr prefcnt .engagement.
I will otherwife wait longer, and caJI again.
You will not, I think, turn me from your
^oofi. and, till I have fcen ygiv I can only
live in its vicinity.

- ■ MtO.

. The man who brought this note, waked
not for any anfwer.

Cecilia read it in, an agony of mind incx-
prcflible: (he faw, by, -its fty)e» how .mucin
Dclvile was iiritated, and her knowledge of
his tempec,made hjer Gcitain bis. irritation
proceeded, iroen believing himfelf illruftd-
She ardcjuly wirtied to appe^fe and %o quiet
hiip, and regretted t^e rnecelfity:0f appew-r.
ing .obdurate and un'^cHng,. ci%n at(ir«, ab
that moment, thanthe liirpya^ion itfelf. To
a^ miad priding in its piirity, and ammatedi
in its affcaiofis, few.fenfations can ,.cxdtO'
keener mifcry, than thofe by which laq .ap-»
. prehenGoD is railed of being thought worth-t
Icfs or UDgrateful; by the objeds of oun
chofen regard. To he deprived of thcic
focicty-is lefs bitter, to be robbed- of • diir
own tranquillity by any other means,, is le&
afflidina.
. . G i Yec

L> Google

incur the only penalty wbichj. to fuch a mini^
would be more fcvere, fclf-repro»ch : fl»e
had promifcd to 'be_ governed byMra. Del-
vitc} fhe bid jiothiag> tliereforc} to-do buc
obey her.

Yet M tuPHi as^beexprededhitnfelf, /rnit
tbe door^ a mia who, but for awjnci^nt the
moft incomprehenfible, would now have bean
folc mailer of herfelf and hcraftions, fccmed
jb unkind and fo tyrannical, ' that ihe could
not endore to be within hearing of his XSr
paifc: (he begged, therefore, theufcbf Migs.
Charlton's carriage, and determined tamake
a vifit to Mrs. Harrcl till Delvile and hJs tnb-
xher had whc^ly quitted Bury. She was nbr.
indeed, ^uite fatisfkd in going to the houte
<if Mr. ArnoK, -but ibe had no ucnc to ■Wcigi
«bjeflions, and kncw^ot-any other place TO
■which ftill greacer might not be ftarfed.
■ She wr'otc a fhort letter (o Mrs. Delviie, ac-
Vfuainiiiig her with her purpofe, aatfitsreafon.
«lid Tepeaiing her aflurances, that &e *OtilJ|
fee guided by her implicit^;' and then,'em-
bracing Mfs. Charltonj'whoiji (be,!*^ to the
■*areof bei- grand-dapgbtets,. (be"fedt into i"

L> Google

BOOK: VIII.
€ HA P T E R I.

A COTTAOI.

*Tr*HE -«»entng was already far advancedi
■ atul before' ftie arriwed ac the and of bei
iittle journey it.-wa& quiie dark. When they
caime nichia a mile of Mr. Arnott's houfe^
t-fae podiJiion, m turning coo Itiddenly front
the tuF^ike io the crof&-road, ovcrfei tho
carriage. The accident, however, occafione4
«o otl^et.mifchief than deUwin^ their proceed-
io^, and^cilia and.her maid were h£jpe4
■oiiEpf ihe-ehaife-unhurt. Therdrvants, affif-
*cd teaman who was walkir^ upon the coa4»
^^an litiibg it up ; ^nd. Ceciha, too buly
within (o be attentive towhat pafTeti without
^fregarded what went ibrward, till the heard
Iwr footman pan for hel|). She then hailiJy
jujvancpd toxnquiK what w^ the raactdr,, an*^
.found ch^t the paflengec who ha4 jeiit his aid^^
jiiid, hy working in the dark, 'unfortun'attrt^
pipped his foot under one ofxhe wheels, and
Xir much hurt it, that without great pain he
tfoidd not put it to the ground.

' -' - G 6 • <;ecaia

■ 50' t^H^lUlA.

Cecilia immediately defired that tfiefufferer
might be carried to hie own home in the
chaifc, whHe (he and the tnaid walked on to
Mr. Arn6tt's, attended by bin fcrvant on
horfebaclt.

This little incident proved of fingular
fervicc to her upon firft entering the houfe ;
'Mrs. Barrel was at fupper with her brother,
»nd hearing the. voice of Cecilia in the hali*
haftened with the cxtrecneft furprife to enquire
' -what had occafioned folate a vifit; followed
by Mr. Arnott, whofeamaiemeivt was accram-
panicd with a thoufand other fcnfecions trf^o
powtrftjl for fpcech. Cecilia, unprepared
with any excufe, ihftantly related the aaven^
tore lb* had m«c with on the road, which
quieted their cvriofity, by turning their attans-
tion to her perfonal fafcty. ■- They ordered a
room to be prepared for her, entreated. her to
go to reft with allTpced, ^d poftpone any
farther account till tlieTiext day. ' With this,
requeft Iht moft gUdly complied, happy to
be fpared the embarralTnient of enquiry,' ant)
rejoiced to be relieved' from the fatigue of
(onverfation- -- .

Her night was" reftlcfs and miferablcs tai.
know how Delvile'v^auid beacher 5ighE wa^
^lever a niomeilt from her thoughts, andta
Ijcar whctbcf be Would obey or oppofc . hii ,
oiocher was her incefiant wilh. -She wasfixt^
Itowevcr^ to be faithful in rcfyling to ^chrm«

L> Google

CECILIA.. 157

and atf leaft to fuffer nothing new from her
own'enterprifc or iaolt, , . ■, -

Early in the morniBg Mrsv>Hatrcl came,
to fee ^er Shc-wa&eagcr-io Icarn why, dfi
ter invitations repeatedly rcfufed, ftie wa* ■
tbus fuddenly arrived without any ; and (he
was ftill more eager to talk of herfeif, and ;«- '
late the weary life (he led, thus (hue gp in the '
CDUncry,; and confined to the fociety of hw
brother. - .

Ceciiiaevai^d giving any immediate anfwer,
to her. quefttonat and-Mrs. Harrel, happy in.
an oppoi)tufli<}^iomhe«=(ehor6wa complaints,,
loon. forgot that (he had alked any, and, in a,
very (hort lime, was perfeSly.thDugh imper-
•cepiibly, contented to be berfclf the only fub--
jeftjttpon whichithey converfed.
:. Btttinoc fuchJwas thefclfilhnc6jOf Mr. Ar-:
Dotti.iand.Gocilia,, when fhe went' down to
breakfaftiipenreived.with; the utmoft concerrtj-
that be had palTcd anight' as (leeplcfs asher
-ovrn. ' A vific fa fudden, ib uneaspefled, aixi
fii-unaccQtiittable,,fFOiif) an.obje^^tJi3t nodif>
. 93UFagement.<ould make him think of witir
indifference, had been afubjeft tofbimofcon-
jeStwe and woidtii chat had.revived all ^he
hopes^anAlfeats-.whicbhadiiatcly, though ftilt
uncscin-gniihsdt ilain,d(*rmaDt. Tht- enqcii-
,wcs, -howpver, ^hiehhis (iftw- had given up,
bt ventured not .to renew, and th(Hight him-
feif bi«jtoo happy in- herrprofcaoe, wbaieVeif,
ipijih^ be-th.c cauie of her vi(it. ■

■'■',r--^ at

IJB V C V, 1; Lr- 1 JU

He perceived, however, immedjatety, die
fadnels that hung upon her mind, and his
own was redoubled by the fight: Mrs. Har-
id, alfo, iaw thic ftie looked ill, but attri-
buced it CO the farigue and fright of the pre*
ceding evening, weU knowing that a Imit*
Ur accident wo«1d have made her ill herJcdf»
or fancy that fhe was fo.

Dtn'ing breakfaft, Cecitia knt &ir the p>oftp.
lion, to enquire pf him how the man had fared,
vh«& good~natured'a(&ffiiice in ttteirdtD;rel«
%ad been lb unforuinate to himfeiC He an-'
fwcrcd jhat he had turned out to be a day-la-
i)Ourer, who livted about half a mile off. And
then, partly to gratify bcr own humanity, an<S
partly' to find any other empleyment for hef-
lelf and friends than uninterefting conwcrla-.
tion, fhe propufed that they ^ould all' wallc
tQ the poor man's ha.bit3aon, and Qfkr him
feme amends for the injury he had received.
Thiswas readily afl^nted to, and the pofttlUoa
^refted them whiiher to go. ■ . ■,

The place iy|is a cottage, fituated upon k
<Qmmon i tlwy erit'Cred it without cprcmohya
and found a clean looking woman at work.'

Cecilia -enquired foi* her birfband, and was
told that he was gone out today-labour.

■*• 1 am very glad to hear it»" returned fliej'
■" I hope then he has got the better of the ac- .
<;ident he met with lalb night i"

'* U was not him, madam," faid the wo-

L> Google

To ^the garden they all went> aijd faw .him

«pontte ground, weeding,

T^Jie (Komeht they approadjcd he aratc,
iuidj W)Ct)ouc fpekking, beg^n to limp, forW
«OuM hardly walk, iway,

** I am forry^ msft«r, faid Cecilia, *• thai
.^bu are &> much hurt. Have you bud. nof,
thing" put to yoiM- foot ?"

The man made oo aafwer, bv
away, frdm her ; a glance, hoi
eye, which the next inftant he fi
ground, ftardcd hei-j flic nioved i
at hiiTi again,— and perceived ^

*• Giood Godl". Ihc exclaim
inghim (UU i^treat, Ihcfccollei
itietic how little he would be obliged to her for
betraying 'hini> and, fulferi<lg him to go bn^'.
toiriled back Xa her pargr, a^d led -the way„
*gain ftito the hotife.

: Asfooit as ih< firft emotion ^f.fier forprife,
Was over. Sat enquired how long yebuliAd be-j.
iBngedM chtscouage, and what wa^ hi&w»

" /Fhe'^onriiMt anfwewd he "had only bee^i
T*ith th'^^ a week, and went out to day-'
labour with h«f hulband.

'Cecilia, l[i«n, finding their ftay kept hfrn
lirona his emf^Toyment, and willing to faye
hirii ihc diftrcfs of being Teen by Mr. Arnot^ ,
•or'MrS. 'Harr«], proppftd their returning
lionne. .Shegrjevta mort fincerely ac beliold-
ang'ia '£d ^dandiolj' aa occ^pauoi^ a young ,
,..,1 . .. ■■ - .1 . roatf "

:,•■- .- ? '■>iiJ n: , . ...

man of fuch talents and abilities; the wiilicd
much to affift hitn, and began confidering by
what mtans it might be done, whenj'as they
were walking from the cottage, a voice at
fome diftancc called out, " Madam I Mifs
Beverley !" and, looking round, to her utter
apiazement (he law Bclficld endeavouring to
follow her. '

She jnftantly ftopt, and be advaiiced» his
,hat in his hand, and his whole. air indicating
he fought not to be difguilcd.

Surpriled at this fudden change of behavi-
our, file then ftept forward to meet him, ac*
compariied by her friends;' but when they came
up to each other, Ihe checked her dcfire of
fpeaking, tokavehim fullyatllbertycamake
himfelf known, or keep concealed.

He bowed wiih a look of afTumed gaiejty.
arid eafe, but the deep leaflet that tinged his .
whole face manifcfted hjs internal confufionj
and in a voice that attempted to fo^ind lively,
though its tremulous accents betrayed unea-
jinefs and diftrefs, he exclaimed, witha forced
ftnilc, " Is' it poRible Mifs Beverley can deign
to notice a puor miferable clay-labourer fuch
as I am? how will fbe bcjuftified in the beau
ftiondcj when even the fight of fuch a wretch
■Ought tofill her with h<MTor ? Henceforth let
hyfterics be blown to the winds, and let

L> Google

" I am hippy," anfwcred Cecilia, " to
find your fpirits fo good ; yet my ownj t '
muft confcfs, are'not raifed by feeing you in
this ftrangc licuatlon."

** My fpirits I" cried "he, with an air of-
drfiance, " never were ,they better, never fo
good as at this moment. Strange as feems
my fituation, it is. all that i wif
found out, at laft, the true fccret
ncfs ! that fecret which fo long I f
vain, but which always eluded my
the inftant of dcfpair arrived, when
iiig my pace, I gave it up as a phantom,
Qo from me, I crisd, 1 will be cheated no
more! thou nity bubble! thou fleeting (ha-i
dew ! IwiU live no longer in thy fight, fiiice'
thy beams "da4zle without warming me 1'
Mankind feems only compofed as matter for
thy experiments, and I will quit the whole
race, that thy delufions may be prefcntcd to
me no more!"

This romantic flight, wliich ftartled even .
Cecilia, tho' acquainted with his charaderj '
gave to Mrs. Harrel and Mr. Arnott the tit-
m'oft furprife j his appearance, and the ac-
c6tint they had juft heard of him, having by
no means prepared them for fuch fentiments
or fuch language.

-** Is then this; g^-eat fecret of happinefs,"
faid Cecilia, '• nothing, at laft, but total fe-
clufion from the woild ?"

"No,

" No, iif adun," ninKred he, " it is la-

fcopr with independence."

Cecilia now- wiHied much to aflc Ibme ex-
planation of hisaifairs, hutivasdoabtfu) wht>*
tbcr he-TPnyld,- gratify her before Mrs. Har-
ftl and Mr* Arnotti and hurt to keep him
ft%ndin^ though he leant upon a ftiok ; (he
told him, therefore, fhe would ac prefenc de-
tsfin hi-m no longer, but endeavour again to
&e hinti before me quitted her friends.
. Mr. Arnott then interfered, anddefired Ids
£&er would entreat Mifs Beverley to inviM
whom fhe pleafcd to his houfe.
^ C«cilia tfianked him, and inftantif aflced
BclBeld to call upon her in the afternoon. • '

" No, madam, no," cried he, " I haw*
4one with vifits aad Ibctelf I I wiH not ft
foen break through a fyftem with much di^'
CilJtyformedi when a]l my future tranqoilli-
ty depends upon adhering to it. The wonb*
UflhdTs of mankind has difgufted me with she
wprld, and iriy refolunon in quitung it &aU
bfl imrtioveable as its bafcnefs."

". I jnuft not venture, tbcn/' fwd Ceciliai"
** , to enquire——"

■" Eaguire, madam," interrapted he, with

L> Google

%^ S, M. k kj Mf Jt, 1X>J

ftiiUne for a moment frtzed mcy I- Me fallen
and debafcd, and I wilbed to avoid' ybuj but
3 lictle rnrolkSdon- brought me back to my
Tenfes. And wliefF, cntd I,- htht Aifgtace'
of.exCTciffng for myfufc^ftence nhf ftrengtK'
with which J am codwod I and why (houM I'
biutti to Iffad tiicf life which uncorrupced Nit-^'
turc firft jjrcfnibed £o man?'"

f* Wdli then," fai A Cecilia, more atid'
more intereflcd to hear him, ** ifyoa will not
vtfit usj will yau at leuft pifrniiC'Ut to retufn
with yoor to. fume place where yOu can be -
featcd ?"

*M. i^ili with pieafure," cried ht, *' go-to
«qy place where yo« may be featcd yoMrfclfesi '
but for me, J have ceafed to regard accornr-
modation CM* inconvenreaoc." <

. They then ali went back to- the cottagfi
which was now empty, the woman being out
AC work.

'*, Will you then. Sir," faid CceiJia, " givfli
nleleave tx> enquire whether Lord- Vannclt is
acquainted with your retirementr and if it-
will not much fmprife snd difappoint Mm P**

** Lord Vannelt," cried he, haughtily, "hai
no right to be iurprifed. I would have quitted
iis houfe,' if no other, noc even this cottage,
ilju) a roof to afford me fhelrerl"

" I am forry, indeed, to hear it," faidCe-
cilta i *' I had hoped he would have knowa
TODT valoe-^ and merited! your regvd."

L> Google

" Ill-iifage,"* anfwertd he, "is as hard to
relate as 'to be endured. ■ There is commonly
fomcthingpitifut in a compJainti and though
opprenion in a general fenfc provokes the
>Trath of mankind, the invcftigation of its ml-
, nutcr circumftances excites nothing but' de-
rilion. Thofe who give the offence,' by the
■worthy few may be hated, but thofe who re-
ceive it, hy the world at iargt will be defjiif-
ed. Confciousof this, I difdainedmakingany
appeal ; myfclf the only fufFerer, I had a right
to be _the only judge, and, niaking ofT tht
bafe trammels of interefV and fubjeftiori,
1 quitted the houfe in filent indignation, not
cltooling to rcmonftraCC> where I dcfired hoi
CQ be reconciled."

'• And was there no mode of life," faid Ce-
alia, " to adopt, but Hv?ng with Lord Van-
nclt, or giving up the whole world ?'*

" I weighed every thing maturely," an-
fwered he, " beforS' 1 made my determina-
tion, and I found it (o much the moft eligi-
ble, that I am certain I can never repent it.
I had- friends who would with pleafute have
prefented me to fomc other noblertian ; but
ipy whole heart revolted againft leading that
kind of life, and I would not, therefore, idly
rove from one great man to another, adding
ill-will to difgrace, and purfuing hope in 'de-

Ranfr- t\f i^nmmnn fonfU . nn- liihfn t ntuttfA

L; Google

** I retirffd to private Jodginga W delibe-
rate what next could be done. 1 had lived in
marfy ways, I had been: unfortunate or impru-
dent in alL The. law I had tfied, but its
rudiments were tedious and difgulting; the
army, too, but there found my mind more
fatigued with- indolence, than my body with
action ; general diflipation had then its turn,
but the expence to which it led was ruinous,
atid felf-reptoach baffled pleafurc while I pup-
fucd it { 1 have even — yes, there arc few
things I have left untried,—^! ha»e- even,— *•
for why now difguife it ? — "

He ftopc and co;loured, but in a <}uick(T
" voice prefcntly proceeded. t

. " Trade, alfo, has had its Ihare in my ex-
periments: for that, in truth, I was oriei-
nally dcftined, — but my education had iU
fuited me loiuch.a deftinaiion, and the tr»-
d<:r'sBrttmaxim 1 revrrfed, inlai^ilKing w4iert
I ought to have accumulated*

" What, then, remained forme?"toniri
over again 'th<^ fame irkfome round I had n<»t .
patience,,and to attempt any thing new 1 was
.wnqualifitd: money: 1 had noncj, my friends
1 could bear to burthen no longer* a-fort-
tiight i lingered in wretched irrcfolution, —
A fimplc accident at the end of it happily
fettled me i I was walking, one morning, in
Hyde Paik, forming a thuufand plans for my
future life, but quaueUing with thf m- ail j
when a gentleman met me on horfeback, from
whom.

whom, atmy LordVMii)c}t*Sj i lud received
particular ctvilitieisi, I looked another' way
net tO:be'fee» byhhn, and thr change in my
iref^ fince I left his Loidfhip's madetbe eaifily
p^fs .'UnnoCtced. He 4iad rode on, however»
;byt 4 few yards, before, byfome accident ■i*
(niftnjiQageiTient, he faxd a fiilt from his hdrre,
Fprgetcing ^1 my caution, 1 ttew inftantly tft
hisafllllance;- bewas bruifed, but cot other-
wife hurt i I helped him up, find hb l^ank
l^nmyftrn); in my haftcof enquiriAghow
he had /arcd, I caUcdhtnn by his name/ He
knew [Qc, but lodked furprifcd at my appear-
>i>ce (■ hfi was fpcaking to me, however, with
■kindnets, when feeing. fome gentlemen of his
acquaintance galk>pinfi;up to him, he haftily
dilengag«d himfeJf from me, and iriftantly be->
gjoning tp recuunc to them wbat had happen-
(•(J* l>e feduloufly looked another way, and
jftifiing his twvr companions, walked off* with-
out taking farther notice of me. For a mO'
ment j* was- alfnoft>tempBcd to trouble htirt to
roiTie backi but a little recoMedion told me
how .'ill he de^rved my refenlment, and bid
toe transfer it foe the future from the' pitiful
individual to the worthlefs community; ■ >■
" Here finilhed my deliberation i the difJ
guft to the world which I hid already cotli-
ecived, this little incident confirmed ; 1 faW
it was only made for the great-and the ricK;— i.'
|)9or, therefore, and low, what bad I to do in
Hi I determined to quit it for ever, and t^
■end

L> Google

«afl ey;«ry cHrappoiatiMaCt by cruffaing evetf
bopc.

" I ^.rote to Lord YaBDetC' to fend my
R^ip}^ tOitny -motfaiv ; 1 mrote do' my tnothcr
th4C 1 rW^3s ;wtt^ j : and wotild fdon kl her hear
epcii£4. {'tbea paid.«ff iny lodgings, and
l< i})^i9g.c)>cduA&^6mUTiy feet/' bid a long
adiru i:|{>XiAadOTii;^nd> committing my route
{9 ctwnce, Afftltrd oBiaco the country, with-,
Plfc.kj|»wf0g qr caring wlikb wiay.
' '* My iif ft. thought w»s'fimpJy.to ftek pe-
4iiipinen^:0ad to-depcnd fbrmy futBfe repoCc
vipqn nothing bMtia total rrclulion ft-om fo-
ctetyr btumjr Aow methcedof travrtjinggave
a)e time ior rofleftion, and rrfle6tion fiion
f^Wfd jfne the error of this notion.

" -Gyiit, ccttd li.may, indted, be avoided
by. feiiitwdtj iW wiUimiftTy i ^wiH regi'rt ?
?»iH d«p d«je£tian ftrf fflnind ?■ oo'j they will
fioiiiow-nuHiela^uouQy-^faan ever r for what
is-thcfe to oppofe them, where neither bitG-
|i£fs:OCCupdes -the time, nor hope the irfiagina-
ti«n ^ vihete the paA has left nothing but re*
ftntrm«t, ^nd the future opens only to a dif-
fnsJ, unintOTcftingYoid ? No ftrangtr to lift,
i knew human aaturccouM not exifton fuch
terms ; ftiil lefe a ffr*tfiger to books, I rcfpec-
ted the voice of wifdom and expericncr in th6
6rft ■of moralifts, and moft cn!if;htencd of
men*. jnd.resdingtheletterofCowlcy, 1-faw
rtieVanitj' laod abfordity ©f panting affer/oli-'

■ „., *' I fought

• Dr. Johnfon. + Life of Cowley, p. 34.

" I fought not, therefore, a cell j but, fi'nce
I purpofed to live for myfclf, I dcterminn^ ft>r
myfdf alfo to think. Servilfcy of imitation
hiis ever been as much my fcorn asferVrlity'of
dependence J I refolved, therefore, to ftHke
out fomething new, and no more<toTecire, as
every other man had retired, thaft to linger in
the world as every other man had lingered. '

'* The refult of all yoB now fee. 4 found
out this cottage, and took up my abode in it.
I am here out of tlw way of all focicty, ' yet
avoid the great evil of retreat, having nerhing
to do. I am conftahtly, not capriciou fly em-
ployed, and the exercifc which benefits my
health, imperceptibly raifes my fplrits in de-
fpight of adverfny. ■ I am removed frOm all
temptation, 1 have fcarce even the powerto
dowrongj I have no object fop ambition, for
repining I have! no timci-rr*I havefound our;
I repeat, the true fecrcto^'hap'pinefs, labour
with independence.','

He ftoptj and Cecilia, who had liftened
CO this narrative with a mixture of compaf-
ijon, admiration, and cenfure," was too much
(truck with its (ingulacity to b& readily able to
-anfwer it. Her curipfity to hear him had
fprung wholly from her dcfire to affift him;
and (he had expefled from his ftory to gather
fome hint upon which her fervices mighebe
offered. But none had occurred; he profef-

L> Google

ted the profeHion, fhe tiould not; venture- to
difpiite it with any delicacy or prudence. .
She thank,ed him, therefore, for his rela-
; tlon, ^ith mai)y apologies for, the trouble flie
. had given hin>» and added, " I mull notex-
(.prcfs. my concern for, misfortunes which you
ilrem to regard as conduci ve to your contertc-
meor,. nor remonftra'te at the ftep'you have
. Xaken> Ijnce-yQuha.ve been led toit by choice,
pot necelTiEy : bul yet, you muit pardon me
if I cannot helphojiing 1 (hall feme time fee
you happier, according to the common, how-
ever vulgar .ide»s of the reft of the world."

'* No^ neveti never! I am.fjctof man-
kind, not from theory, butexperience ; 'and
the precautions I have taken againil nienfal
fatigue, wjll fecure me from repentance, or
any defire of change j for ii.is not the adtive,
but the indolent who weary; it is not the tem-
perate, but the pampered who are capricious."
" Is your fifter, Sir, acquainted with this
change in your fortune and opinions ?"

" Poor girlj no ! She and her unhappy
mother have borne but too long with my en-
terprizes and misfortunes^ Even. yet they
would facrifice whatever they poffefs to ena-
ble me to play once more the game fo often
loft; but I will not abufe their afFeftion, nor
fuffer them again to be flaves to my caprices,
nor dupes to their own dclufive expciftaiions.
. 1 have fent them word I am happy ; I have
not yet told them how or where, i fear much
Vol. IV. H ■ the

'a wlin?,- Will 'ionceklTi^Mf rW'Wf fi?tiaitt)h,

grieve at as -crUc!;*' ' -■"^■'■■^■' '';'^3' "ft

*^ 'A'nd'U-it'-HW cruel ?" fild Ccrimi;'J*^!s
labour indeed lb fweet? arid can you firrcrtifiy
denize habpinefs from What all otFja's*irfMi-
dcr 'as jriifcry ?*' " .'■.■..>' i,

«* Not fwcet," anrwcred he, ;*"m M\fi Htjt
Tweev mofl: fweet and falutary'in ?ts'<^ffftts.
Wtien I work, I forget all tKctfrorld'i HlVjiSfe-
jcfls for the future, my difa^pottitii'icnts fr<5rn
the paft. Mental fatigue is overpowffetfeiT'liy
perfonal j I toil till I requirt reff , aritf tKat reft
which nature, not luxury demands, Ifatft Hbt
to idle meditation, but to found, h«/a^y,_'ft-
ceflary flecp. I aw^e the 'next WorriltTg'to
the rame thought-exiling b'ufincfs, wci^ Wain
till my powers are cihauft^cd,'aiid ani i'elTtv'ed
again at night by ilie fame health- retttifti^g
infenfibility." ' ,' '

" And if this," cfiid'Cecilia, ^"is-^Kelifc
of bappiners, ^hy have Vc ft ma'ny'ccA^-
plaints of thefuiFtnrigs6f'thc-'pbor,!^iHd*^*!iy
fo eternally do wcKeaVof 'theirTiartlrtiitls'^Iid
diftrersf" ' "' '■"' ' '■'"'■' ■'-"'■-■

" Tncy have known ho oclicr-rift'.'''';T!Vey
areftianqtrs. thertfdr^;WthercltWf3PtTft'ir
lot. Had ' they mi^gl'eiS, 'W'i^ Ae'^^^bfidj' fid

L> Google

■ all ic^nKTWrnmentfromith^ir .powers,, yfc
j;feun^{f^e0(t$;)^K»'£bjBgauen 4& fooo as ouc of
■ f ^ B^ fj^^d ^rwived ^nfclyps avpided ,whqn
.i^^^i^tfr.iHiffoooslririOh, ha<1 tUey knawn

■;llDa felt pravocarions fiidi ,<isrctiefcj how, gl44-

yj^ .Yl^^ .XhMi Ati'KQti'Ml Ipinqs turn.fipm t(>e

,ft^pj^ fthatflflWettindjuaply laboufj ^«hjph
-ac.obcf ,4iibigages them fmm fuch,rufejugat-
,Hig.iiiai»^s,vaiKi.?n»bics.iEii«n.-to fly the jngra-
ntUudfthcy afciiiorl .WiilioMt-tbe coiitrail.pf
yvke,;;vpri:i|je,uj»lavedmiiy be lovely^ \wiiJK)ut:
>ibe c*p«icnqe.x»f ipi^ry- h^ppi?>eA ,is, fiini.»)y
,.a4uli-pdvf(iojv9f-cvjl.",
,,*' -AJi^ ve you io ct^utent." cried. Cccjlia,
f* with yMiir prelent fitqacJQn^ as even to tliink

■ itipffefs j(ou^^^^4UQ[i for your pift luffci-
:iDgs?"

. " Qwitttu!" rey^edhe with f Rcrgy, " O
inore than coniqoi, J ?m proud of my pTcleflC
^fitjaawon l^I.,glQi;yiia Qijawtng tp the wprld, I
^lory.:ftUi, tfX0rt:.ia.lhc3V-iag to myfelf, that
-thot^'Whoin 1 cannot but derpife t,y;ill nqt
jfyi^lrto.^ef/waod tbftt where,! have been
:,ttfji?cd-uoworthny,l v^ulfcorntobeobligcfj."
1*.', "^Brtt/wiii yfpu pardon,, me," laid Cecilia,
.?*,.fl^Qtrl4.^ aJik 8S^'n> -'f't'y iP, quitting LpriJ
^Vviat^tyyA'J: (^qti^lM^ed 90 on? elfc worthy a

■fiviM^.u. ,:.;.,...,;, ■"■ ■ . ^ . .

,i, , ■ Ha " Bccaiife

ed me: tQf though I tikjcd-not^ii^b^^vi^j^
1 found him 4 man too-gedcraUy eflqcmS^oo
flatter myfelf bctccf ufage would await;.n?e,ifr
merely changing my abode, while my.ftacicHi
was the fame. I believe, indeed, heincvcr
meant to oficnd me ; but I was offended chc
more tliat he fhould think me an objeft to re-
ceive indignity.withoutkHowingit. To hgyp
had this pointed out to him, would have
been at once mortifying and yaijij for deiVi-
cacy, like tallc, can only paFtiallyibe taught>
and will always be fupcrficial and erring where
it is not innate. Thofe wrongs, which though
too trifling to refent, arc too humiliaring; K>
be borne, fpeech can convey ^lo idea of j che
foul muft feel, or the underftandingcan ne»
TCr coniprehend them,"

'' ButfurelyV fajd QeciJiii,-" though peo-
ple of refinement are rare, they fU-^t't&t
■why, then, remove yeurfcjf ffomv th^ pQ0it-
bility of meeting with th«m J": . ■_■■■: "-zi^f^

" Murt 1 run -about the MaiipniV^GriediKf^
*' procUimipg mydiftrefSj^niddcfflriJ^iSg-i^
temper? tellingthc world.tha.i,tJiO(ig^;dc0j!Or
deiw I demand refpeft as.,-tt!el^; a(ria^%ffC(S> ■
and pnburbing to mankirFd,jh4t{il)i,0;UigtfrpOf>r
I will accept riegifts'itipifefe;d wi,lihi?Wy^i?ne-
^? WiwwillliikrO to)}i9li.at>5^(;<;-^Hif|tlE,;ffhp
will care for rriy-mJi5f(.'i;tMfie6,iju,ti4t i^y may

L> Google

nWfrificat'Htttsi brit'tb feyl dffetre them?
'%*htt.Iias''the WdiTd to do with my feelings .
ahd"^M^SHtJei? J know it too well to'
tfiiSfcTc^lirftity Will fofteti it j !■ need no new
leffiStis toinftnifltnc that to conquer affliAioB
iS'Hidre- wife than to relate it."

'" ■*• Unfortunate as you have been," faid Ce-
cilia, "'I cannot wondef at your afperityj
BUc yet, it is furely no more than juftice to
afckAoWiiedgejthat hard-heartednefs to diftrefs
is by no means the fault of the prefcnt limesi'
on the contrary, it is fcarce fooner made
knOiwn, than every one is ready to con'trihute-
tbits relief*"

'' i^And Jiow contribtite-?" -cried he, "by
a- paltry donation of money? Yes, the maa
fc'hofeonlywArit is a few guineas, may, indeed,
obtain thenr; but he who alks kindnefs and'
proteflion, whofe oppreffcd fpirit calls for
Gonfolatiohieven more than hisruined fortuae
for repair, how is his ftruggling foul, if fupc-
jior td-'hia -ftoei to brdok'the oftentation of'
patronage^ and. the dnfolcnce of cSfndefcen-
ifion'? Yes, yesj the world will favc the poor
brggarwho'isftarring; but the fallen wretch,
■Who will hot cringe^r his fupport, maycon-
-ftrtte ■in htSxOWH'wretchednefs without pity
artdi-wkhotit'hclpl" .

^'Clnfifit Miwfav* thatthewoond hisfcnfibili-

^hadTri;w?ved was too painful fcff argument,'

.arid tttd' fecent immediately to be healed.

She forbortf, therefore, to detain him any lon-

■ :K H 3 gcr.

L> Google

L> Google

.mcrlsiw iz^]vf' ":''-■'■ v v ■, ■ ■■-■■
bnc .-ftcTt iZUi^i-'As :»,■■ -. ».,
,gn:n3flc-j b!--;it >:'—,- ■. .' - ■ ;■
,3i3riw , ,T'h-f A". &o'NT I-a X.
y-brj ,!>iJii'i ^ . ., ■• ' ■

Cecilia's intereft in it wi
■coepciaa itf '- tba ^ foUowu
Mnile^ -..;■■

i',;'; .... ., ■,-'■. To'Miss Bevbrlev..

L> Google

He ayers that hr is folemrrly cAgiged to
you, and in.^Ieadtrfg <o'mfe'his*Winoi;M', he
filenccs both expt>(ralati6h''and' aGthority.
From youi- own words aione wiH lie ackhbW-
Jedge his difmifTion; and notwhhftdhditiginy
reludance to impofe upon you this ^fl^, 'I
cannot Tilcnce or quiet him without 'nhftking
the requeft.
■ For a purpofe fuch as this, can yOu^- then,
«dmit us? Can you bear with your own lips
to confirm the irrevocable decifion ? You will
icel, I am fure, for the unfortunate Morti^^
mer, «nd it was earneftly my defire to fparc
you th'e fight of his affliftion j yet (uch is my
confidence in your prudence, that fince I find
iiim bent upon feeing you, I am not without
hope, that from witnefling the greatnefs of
your mind, the ihierview may rather calm
^han inflame him.

This propofal you will take intoconfider-
^tion, and if you are able, upon fuch terms,
to again meet my fbh, we will wait upoii you'
together, where andwhen you will appoint}
iiut if the gehtlerrefs of youi* Aature will make
the effort too fevere for you, fcrupie not to
•decline it, for Mortimer, when he knows your
pleafure, will fubmit to it aS' he ought.

Adieu, inoft amiable and biit too lovely-
Cecilia; wihacever you detbrmine, be fure of
•my concurrence, for rioblyhave you earned.

L> Google

o- ff'iU?S.".crted CesUia, V.wbeo.fljal^ I be
^t reft ?" when ceafe tQ be pcrfecutcd! by new
^99p6i^ ! Oh> why muft I fo often* To cruelly,
tjipugh fo reluftantly, r^eft and feprove.the
■;nan.who of all men I wiHi.to accept and to

.(• But yeta though repining at this hard ne-
■ccPCny, (he hcCcated not a moment io com-
;plyuig with Mrs. Delvile'sjcqueft, andim-
-ruediately fent an anfwer that Ihe would meet
her the next morning at Mrs. Charlton's.

She then returned to the parlo.ur, and apo-
•logized to Mrs. Harrel and Mr. Arnott for
CjCi abruptnefs of her vifit, and the fudden-
liefs of her departure. Mr. Arnott heard
biiT in.rileHtdeje£tioni and Mrs. Harrel ufed
■jjl the perfuafionin h?r power to prevail with
fh^f to ftay, her prefence being fome relief to
■her folicude ; but finding it .incffeftual, Die
■ea^jieftlyprclTed herto haften herentraoce into
hcr,oj*'n hpufr,, that their abfcnce might be
.Jhprtened and their iTiceting irrare fprigihi\y.

Cecilia. palTcd the night in pl^nnit^ her
^^h^viowr for %ke next day j (be .fqund how
much was-^xpe£i(;d (rom hcr.by Mrs.,Dplvil<i
jffho Jwd tvetf exhorted her to .decline the in-
terview if doubtful of Jicr ow.a ftrength. Del-'
■vi^'s 6;«inefs in infiftinglhe refufal (hould
cop>e dirc^Iy,fr(»ni,,hetfidC, furpiifcd, gratis
;fi,edj(^4|>5i'plti'ed her in tur-ni'the ^ad itpa-
,ig^nedj, ihftt frppfi tlifl.Hsomeniqfthedifcpv^y, .
h^ wpuld iraplicitly hav« fubmisted to the
,■ ,:■' - Hi award

rtigeto ccthttrtd withl)i*^flX <SwMi;nitftl-c^a»»l
jcfiiure:.yet that xouh^ sndt tbu >c<9t^ni»o
tion aftoninitd rfoC rhore thM;.tfaef^.:fi}bidK{di
her, ' Suice, '^th'har ^nQn'lc<%e, of. -his ^^1
ttndernslsirflie coitfidered th«m>;tt ihcmfafe
iaduliuMblBprbofs'lbeh^iymKctivnl'c^Eltti
fttvaersmA coiifi^fu]^ 0f- ^si-cetttcrd Ifcr Wii
Biit tfoutd he, when (he had ratified; -i^o
<kciGon pf hb itiathcrt fcrFb«3n.aU.feither
ftruggic, and forever yitld.upail prctcrffion»L
to^betf klus'V^is the poinc^upbii. whitihiwr
uticerbiaty larned, aod :tlve ruling iiil^e^gf-,
hfr thoOgbtsTind tficditiiionj ■■<. ■'■j.i yT^ T
To be.'fteady, ; hovwvffiri .hcHa^ntWiJuSn
eonddift Wtnt ic mighv:imas<imr^i4di^ :ber)l
intention, and. was '^V'lherai'obUien'.i.Iyfihtdir^/
reftif fcb ffiftied'the' nweang fyrer, ,fiw ftwj
dftWed Vb fttC'the (tara^ cjf Dcl*Hc( andSbftl
dttadedftill more the fufircplibiteiyoffcr-^sfriav

hadrr. - ■ . ■ ■ ■:,; (-a. iy::<\ ntii ;;;,;0{ft

The ^xt'iiuHnin^ !toiittigBiais\i3ancta!a^
Mr. ArntMt «^s Mtai&tgilbi^ttte hftllfWhina
ftie c«rie d»w(i liJaiwi^^arfaifo routhjgr(ev«lt>
0t her dcpartui<e, tliac be.'KaJH%dr,be«;t^'thQa
€bufe''wicii«taj^cing.;ablf: )t«l;fpe^i.ttt )h3*,
Afid hardky iieiird hcD-thatiksliartd ift»Ti^in3

She arriwfl at Mrs. CharltwfeOTBJtwriiSErfii

L> Google

•SfXi. Jii »jJ It JU* 1^T> A^

F7^

^e^e'hr had-iliaidfyod his der(^rs." ; ■■ ■ ■ '..,
■ jj«f:i)ii '^ur[fi«d}i<,1aut:dcprefred by the >
cnjt^'^t^^^'^^^'i'A'tcd-Jier, had no power r.
taff^s^^ atftf MrsjBcInJci finding the &ii\:>
p^tnWcd, made Jicr fit down^ and .drew a-,

H6

Mean

»Bb , t: E c r L r A,

.' IV'Tean wtiile Pclyilei with' an'ctriotidn'Tat
iinore i:iolent)' bccauTe'whol^' onreftralnedi
waited 'irhpa,pie,ntly till th'eceremohia!'of the ;
■recepriori was over, and tHen, approachirtg
Cecilia, in -a voice of.pcrcurbatibh and re-
fenntient, iaijd, /' In this prefence, at leaft, 1
'hope I -may be heard; though my let'tefs ■
iiave been ' jinanfwered, my ylfits refufed,
tthOiigh inexof ably ycu "have flown me — "' '^
, *.' Mortimer," interrupted. Mrs. Delvile,
''* forget' riot tiiac what T have told'ybu is ■
irrcypcablfj you now rneet Mifs BevCijley
for no wher purpofe tlian to give and to'rc-
tfeive a mutual'rcleare'pf all" ti|;or engag6-
dnent with each othtr^"
.'. ■•* I*ardon me, madam," cried 'Re, " this
as a condition -to which I have never alTented.
3 come not to releafc, but to claim hcrV I 'aiii
Jicfs, arid heVs whoUyl! I protcft ik in' the
face'of the world! The time, therefoftf, is
ifiow paft'for the facrifice which,'y6u demand, ■
■ iince fcarce are you more my niothei', than 1
.cqnfiiic-r her as my wife." * ''

Cecilia, amazed at this dauntl^fs declara-
tion, now almcft loft her feir m her furprire;|
while Mrs.JDelvile, 'with an air caltn, though
<lifplcafcd, anfwered, '" This is -riot a point
TO be at jirefent dlfcuflta, and I had hoped
■you knew better \vhat was due to your audi-
■tors, ' 3 only tonfented to'thij interview as' a
4 'mark, of _your refpeft for Mifs Beverley, "to*

L> Google

•p; B G ^ lo. K A,

»8»

'■r:"Cftca,i3,-^wKc(;a

■'tf.e„-.fiU'nCi :,poW^ 1

VjVJ?hMever. t\e

l^fcd, to depend

Tdinquiftiedi an

Wlarcr— ."

; j" TtiatTou^l

tupttd Delvile, "

ray:— Oh, how h

have I merited a

•upon me fucb a fen

/er, (peak.

to me, .CcciHa, -whi

one ?"

" Nothing, Sir,"

)n founded

^t this language-in'tl

ismottiei^

"'' you have done no

— "

.'■'/'■Yet what?— ha

e^d-tome

- iiri averfioii ?. has xi

i horrible

■antipathy fucceeded to yOur efteem; — -tellj
. ttfll mc w'ithotit difguife, do you hate, do yOB
. abhor jnef"'

. ■ , Cecilia Cghcd, and turned away her heads

■ and: Mrs. Delvile indignantly exclaimed^
■*• What mad hefs and abfurdity ! I fcarce
"know you under the influence of Tuch irra-

. tiotial violence. Why will you interrupt
"MiFs Bevcrley-in the bnly'fpeech you ought t»

■ near frorti her ? Why, at once, opprefs her,
-and irfitaie mc, by words of more palTioa
■than realbn? Groon, charming girl, finifhwhaC
■fo wifely, fojudicioufiy you were beginning,
iand then you (hall be releafcd from this tur-
-buknt perfccutioo."

'"-No,

PfJvjl;, " if flje dpe* nw s
I -Will iiotJ(fir her to go i

doQ me, Cecilia,- b»t yoy w

IJfi^ty U bcfr^ying npc p Y

but your own. Once moi i

jwe you.w hear i^, aptfti J

sTVier fliOM diftrejfe you ^/g&fting ytiUr ^^^ v
coee>" ■ ' i' J

. Cecittit, ^bfOied^nd changiag colour, wa^
Clertt, and he procec^icd. - '■ -.,

** All <lnt hgs pad: between us^ tiK uciWs
jjbave ofTrred yctp of faichj conftancy, ji^''
afieftton, the ctitifent 1 obca
tc be legally mine> tlte bbn<
1 have had drawfl up, and ■ t1 '■•'

joi) -confcrrfd \ipon nfie in f
lead yqu to:ihe ^\tAt,-^a}l t >■

are ah-eady known to ft» many, that «he ieWft" -
Kileftion muft Convince ^u t^tfyViH foon be ■'
^concealed from mme: tellmCi ehen, tf )*;i(r-- -
own fame pleads not^ft)r.me,-^aftd-if-th<!i^r^»' i
pies which lead you ro refuft, byitfci^g-anttr ^
tb«r direiftiwi, wfili ■nor, ^vith.fhuohrtidr^'pryi*:-:
firkty, urge, D#y enjpin you ro Mcept H*Sf '
you":hrfuaie at leaft,— O'Mife Beverley! -l^i^
fee.in:thathefitation— " ' '■ ■-' ■' --■' '"'i-
. « Nbthing, nothing^" Gfkdibij Aftftilyir: ■
and checking h«riifKig Irr^latiiJiij '^-tKe^eL- '
uDothing for you co (ee/ but tb».«very way

L> Google

a^fifrl'io.ic'i. v.-i . , . -■ ' ■ ,■■ ■ - '\

waitewiW f*-*!^ penetrated iittp tha nmrtak..
y i g WiM ^' Cecil**, •* you hav^ ikj» fpt^ua
t&.r^^lj^ I^orief't and 'unvilling »s I. ism.;
tOj^btrqde upon htr mir ^iiger^nce of ^tsr. .
THfRU it ,n fyec«aiuy, fiope 4k : has Jwavd/
y^i|^ tli^t 1, atfOj foQ^d ciaiqi'httr i^cccar.
tkm."

^^aa-letJwr^afc!" wkdipe4vi4e, mho
in her apparrm waverings b^Ut aenr.^opes, \
*• jfirft Irt- h«: 4oIi«f «lM»t -ikp b^ *lf «ady
deigned, tp l*ft«n to." <■ r

'* j?% fi«ft>JttW'h«3r.l",.Gr(ed.Mra.JBci*'

will reflirfft -t^Son jhtt fl»oft ftontiu'''" .- . i ;

tttHtvdr '' ;Y.pu fe|a here J!(4ifs iBewccley^ a ,\
young man.w^ .p«fli9n«t<Fly adore([ you, aiid ,_
whoiforgrtpiin'/hj^^dtwatiojfe friendfiji faintt^ ,;
and cpnocS^NS^-iht opiiuQos in a^^qh ihf . >
has t^^n.ifjiVcWid, W-^on<HiFflfih|s.ifpuf«,v i
biSiOVirnfjMtjiKfrytstwS'j T»fl«l-ail his pnknUive j
fvnfC'of du£yi^,;b!0^-pul>ti.c an4 privece.!^— .
A |^^<wi; ^Jt^^ni Atf:h a defalcation oS prtn-i .

and not more ignoble-fbr him wpuldrbC'A. '
wni^n.^fci^ttrfW^y Wot-hi* pame (io»n.th«
rnJHi'^4;fto<^)^i'^^pP^'l^'^P>^Dg> than iodcli* .
<:atc;foiYyQu.Wftp34gP'>^Tv?J» terms.oo^tK to ,
<lc%ife ham,"

•* Heavens,

ipfcw all yoMr rcffl-^,!" ,- ,-, ,. , j^.

for huniiuiityj forbear thiscruelfupplitjfyW)^^-'
" N^y, o>cirt! tbap fuj^lieaiion, jfl^riav^
pay cpmman^p} comm^ds; yqu fiav^n^eii
. yet difpiited, and mifery, ten-fold n)\ffijgf_
i«iil follow their difiibedience. I^Kir ^,
Mqrtiii>e4r, for I Ipeakprop^epcaUy; Xl^i|a«f
ypuf heart> I, know it to be formed, fot^eai-
i;vde4n4^uty> Qr4^e{lined by their negle^tq
ffppnfsofe and hopror^" \

Delvile, (buck by thelc words, tHmctU^i-
denlyfropi thprp.both, and Ingloonqy detppUrr

. depce walkj^d to the, other «:nd of tb^e rQOdp.
M". Pfiiviie i^ifceivcd ,I;^^e,ffl^Ipe*J;.o£^^■
fef; c^^.Xp^lflc^ with, th^.apifmiiy^u, qjjjT

.y^vinghoBf, " Sf^r.^ P»ft^ie4;.H¥nfmfi?

, Jiffr iqn.. " fcci,f I ftpi drce)yo^J,C^q 9| %F

.*ViCft the fuBgf^ftiflR of ^,t>]f{! ffpijffni^?

j.Think ypu wlKfi « fa^ls. vi?qft.h"ft,A^ »#

L> Google

volvinR hiniitirepeiuaflcei nor of ificvmHgt
■i|te^^in^ach*>(jrthrmcrthcT'ba-fbJirt«ch re-.

iv-cA ijijfiii,Bi CKSOtioe !"' cried Mrs: EJiivflt ;
"**'t^t>d^ne&fij'£K it tjii^would confer hoooar
tpiiti^Ti'tnon&Tch." Then, c^lingeut exnlD^
Sn'gl^to- her £&%. ** See,'*' fle^^dded, " hcfw
''greatly, a woman' aanaAj wbm iHoMilaced'by
gCrirrofity ar«l'a juft fenfcof: duty ! Fii^itrw-
'thcD, ac'leaft, the cxacnpfc yoitoogbt to UaV©
llodt. aiKbdefcrw- my cfteem and Fokc, or be
content to fon^o chem."- ' '

** And ciin 1 only dtferve ebenii''' faid|EJ»iv

■rye,' in a torn aP rt« deeprft anguiflii. " by a

CDmpUancc to which notrnMelymyhatipine^,

li(«t my rcalbn mtiftbeftcrifteed? Whit hft-

nbbr do I' injure that ia not faditJout?- Wkat[

4Viithfre»t6as ourunibn', that la. not itnagi-

'Biiry? Ifttbtf general oommerce ftf i!h« wtMid

it 'mi)' be riffhr to yield to its prejudices, bu«U»

. matter? 6f ^onfe iinpbrtanci?* it is weakWefs

''» hefli^k,le4'bjfrfcrtjpI.esIbfrivolou>( aiidiB

"'^ia; cowardly tt>',b4'*g6vferaod by the-fcaftixiis

_ -jfar condeinm' ■'He^ten^aatd the Ijrtrs of'«^i|■

'Montry Ihbuld'thcn ihjne be corifulted^ an.d

^^&Wtholfcare-iieipherisppofed'oor,infrift^,

*-,<fe ftduld hol^auffelve* ftidertor to alj other

'■c^tefiaeraft?oiiil.">' ■■ ■ •' .' . '■

, . ** Mi,fl:aken notions !" faid Mrs. Delvift j

^**-itiid Htrw^Idi%'dby^ Salter' yourfelf this

'~i^piBdtat /i^pineTswdaW endufc t Hdw

';/'/ •-■ "■■■" ■■"■■ -'■■'''^ '^■.- •■■ -' '■■■ ■ ' long

L> Google

lopg cotild yen tine conceitEedlby nlemfiftfS^
graoficatioji, . in. defiance vcrf;[riie:xcfift<«!iw<"
mankiRdtthe'Eenunciationo^yourlainE^lli^
the curfcsof yourfatKerP:' -ii'rj!' -•■

" The curfesof my fatheri" Fq»atetJ'**e,*
ftarting and (huddering,' ^i Oao,ihe:(X«\A
never -be fo barbarous !" ;■'-''

" He- couid," &id Sue, -ftcadily, f'no*--do
I-doubt but he woqid. If Aow, howewer, yen
areaffeded by the profpeftof hisdifclaimtw^
you, think buc^hat you will feel' when-fitft
forbid to appejir before either <)f us I and
think af your remorfc for involving MifsBo-
vtrky in fuch difgrace !" .

" O fpeak not fuch words !" criedrhej with
agonizing earneftnefs, " tadifgraee her, — tm
be banifticd.by you,— prcfcnr not, I conjorc
you, fuch fcenes.to my itnagination !" •

■ ** Yet would they be uflavoidflble," coir-
tinucd file, "new have 1 faiditoyouallt blind-
ed as you .now are by pRiTion, your noblerfeeii^
ings are oniyobfcured, not entirpated ; think,'
then,,how they will all rJfc in revenge of your
infulted dignity, when your name becomes a.
flrahger to your ears, and you are firft fatuted
by one Ibmeanly adopted 1-4."
. " Hold, held, . Tnadair," inteirupied he,'
f*. this is more than 1 .can bear !"■

" Heavens!" ftill continued 0ie, 'difre-

garding his intreaty, **:iwhat iQUfae:umTerfe

can pay you for thatifirft-momentjof iindig-

■ nityJ Thinkof it-wdLcfCVOUprocbai, and

L> Google

ah^ffitte ^ur&ii&riotts-, left the (hoc!
W^^T: .overcome you. How will th
tififommronmd snceftors riieihto yot
cheeks, and now will your heart thn
^acrec.ftaipe and rdproach, whenwif
i)f>ov:)Vur oaariiage by the name of '-
•perley V' ■

*^. Delvile, ftung to ttw fo»U attcmi
Iboy anforCTy but walked about the i
^.'Utoii^ disorder of mind. Cecil!
ttave retired, but feared irritating him
ej;tfavagance;«ndMrs.Delvile,look-
bVm, aAled, " For myfclf, I would
for I ftiould pity your wife, — but
■would kbehold niy fon when funk inti
jtift -of COTBpaflion !"
■r'-"/itftiaU Docbfi" cried he, in at
of rage ; " ceafe, ceafc- to diftraft mi
centent, madam,-— you have conqu*
..." Then, you are my fon !" cried 11
tticouQy erpbracingjaiim; " now I knc
ray; MoTCwner ! now I.fce the fair pr
hi* upright yofithj and the fiattering'
tionof ^ny luaienwl cxpeftations !"
i.' Cesilta^. finding ailithus eonclirded
notlijng fo mut-h-as toicongratulate
their [CQOBctlistidn [i- bttt hawing oi
." Let me too^'r*'' bet voice fdiied
Slept Ovv^, dndhoping fliehad been i
%rauld!ibaTitjgiidEjd>mitof,fhe room.
-■•JBut DcJ»ite^":pan«r&cetl and tortu
deitghced;at '.tiiis feofibijity, broke

inunhei-, and ffizi^g; :hcr band, osxAivotfd,

" I i«m ! • I am," .cried ihe,.'*rirfit.TjwptDj»i(^ l
"."ktmepafej— amdthiak ao^moTtf-a£,(^Ki\^-A-

*' Tiiac voicB,— 'thofe booii^r— " -crE(jd;h*if{
■ftill-boldirngtaer, ^'.ch<y fpraJt'Ooi fewrrtyl-r*-'.-
Oh, if I h^ve injured youT peace, -r— .if tfcai;-/
rhtan, which, pore s&ia^gc:^, delervci.^ ba^
'as facKcd'from forrow,. though) n3y;nKBns>n9r t
tfor myTakr, fuffrFsany dinvttutBHi of-tDan---]
■quillicy-j-" ., ,,

" None, none!" ineerrupted ftie, with preF<v
cipitition, ...I

'^ Iknowwell," crkd he, f • yqucgreatnela-,
«f foul; -andjf this dFfadful4acril^e>[giv<9<
lading torture- ooly to rnyfeifi — if- 6S jitftfj
'returning ha|>{Mnef5>I''£euld,'.b« aflikf!dv^^4':
would "ftRiggtc to, iiwr lit." ' ■/

** Ydii jw.^ ^ciafforedof it," ftiedrflȴ,
-wich reviving dignity. ■^'' I have no right to
exped deeping all c^M>nit>siHit w.btle.l>ihfne-
:the coniiTion lot, I will-fubcn^l.to icvwichouc,
repimJig." ; ■ , , .■,,., , -v

" Heaven then blefs, >and \iav9f'}«s^pgeis .
watch you !" cried he,- and letti/ig.'gO' bcr
hand, hcran.^a'flJJy out of ihe-room.;

*^ Oh, Virtue, how bijght is.thy iriunjpK!"
excLdmed Mrs. Dclvile, flying upto .Cecilia*
and-folding her in h^ruimGi} *.* i|j[pble, ; iji-
compitrable young ¥>^^ct>irel I l^n^vr<-no;:ljMt
fo much worth was cunfipatible with jmnwn,
frailrv!" ; . -

L> Google

''BStthe heroiftn of Cecilia, tn loftng Its ob-
jeft;*iiftits force-, fhefightd, tht could ho:
^|)ftfc^-t^rs giifhed into fiere^ts, and kiding
■Mrs?tD^lvWe*s hand -with a look that ihfe*^ed
htfririAbrlityttrcdiivct-fcwith hcr,flic haftentd,
ttimtgh ftstte able to fiippori hcrfclf, aWfty,
■wh^'iiittntiarv "to fhtit herfelf up in Her owii
TB'pdH&*i*At ••■'and Mrs. CXelvile, who prtceived
%#rr4JerTitiTftSn: fortitiMeWas exHaiiffcd, op-
prffttf not her going, and wilely forbire t6
irnci*are tier "emotion, ' by f61lQwing"hcr even
'with'''liVr tii^flings.

But when (he came into the hall, ftit ftai-t-
M, "ftrtd tobtd proceed Vib fuiiher ; for there
^(•'^Wlhffd Dclvile, 'Who in tdo grcLit agony
id'frfftfcn, hzdftopt totrtb^erToitic conipo-
(fJurrb^fdVe'he jijuirtedthe bduft.

At the firft found of 'ftnktptriing dobr, he
SHiSihiliftily efcaping j but perceiving' Cecilia,
and tiiftfirHing ht*r lituation, he more hift'ily
tliliie'H''batk, fayirtg,' '-' Is it pbfnble ? — To
jMJjWehif'ybu corrting ?"*■■ ' ■■

She (hook her head, and made a "iriotlari
SwlthMft;i"Hatid to'fty rto, and would then
ii4*i ^Uni rtn.

" You'aftAvetping!'* cHed 'he, " you are
p3le!:->^-CMi, Mifs BtveHey ! Is this your
hspplHefe ?" .' -■•''■

-** ham'i^y'wtHV-^" cried the, notknov/y
JrigwRaefti^ tfiiAveMlJ'^'Mi^ quite well,— .
ptay^yb, -1-i I ahi V^k*y'w— " her words died
awAy inarticuUtcd.

« OS,

L> Google

** Oh, what a vpice >s t^t ! " ^sclj^fa^^^ey
•* it pierces tpy very foyl !" , . .,

Mrs. Delvile .now c^nie to tjic pvlfJUr.^QQlV.'
and looked aghall at the fitiiaiiion la whji:^
fhe faw them : Cecilia agaii^ moved on, and
reached the ftairs, but tottered and was cibr
liged tocling tothe banifters.
. - " O fuffer me to fuppcM-t you,!' ci:ic,d he^
*' you ve not able to ftand — whither is i^
you would go ?" , ■! r

"Any where, — I cfon't know — "aiifwereO.
fhe, in fauhering accents, " but if you woul4
leave me, I fhotild be well." .

And, turning frotn, him* ihe >yalked agjaiij
towards the parlour>. finding b^.hcf ,fta^(f|g
frame, the impofTibiliiy oPgeiting unaidea
up the flairs. . . . , ,

" Give me your hand, my love, f^id Mrs.
Delvile, cruelly alarmed by this return; antj
the moment they re-entered the parlour,! fhc
faid impatiently to her fon, ". Moftimcr, yyhy
are you not gone ?".

He heard her not, however; his .ivhple at-
tention was upon Cecilia, who, finking .ipto
a chair, hid her face againft Mrs. Delvile:
but, reviving in a few moments, and blufli-
irg at tlicweaknefs file had betrayed, {he raifedj
her head, and, with an aflumed ftrenicy, faitl

" I am better, — much better, IwaSftai

ther fick, — but it is over; and now,' if you
will excufe me, 1 will go to my own room."

L> Google

She tt»n amfe, but her knees trembled, and
her head was giddy, and again feating herfelf,
fbc'forfcW a ftiht fmile, and faid, " Peihaps
I Had btcrer keep quiet."

'** Can I bear this !*' cried Dclvile, " no, it

Jhakes all my rtfolution ! iovelicft and

mod beloved Ceeilia ! forgive my rafh decla-
ration, which I here retraft and forfwear, and •
which no falfe pride, no worthleft vanity fhall

again furprife from mc! r^ife, thfn, your

■*y<-s "

" Hot-headed j»oungman!" intcrnipted
Mrs. Delvile, with' an air of haughty difplca-
ibre, '^ rf you cannot be rational, at leaft be
aient, MifsBeyerlcy, we will both leave hinri."

Shame, and her own earneftnefs, now re-
■ftored fome ftrength to Cecilia, who read with
terror in ihelooksof Mrs. Del vile the paflions
with which ftie was agitated, and inftantly
' obeyed her byrifingj but her fon, who inhe- ,
Tited a portion of her own fpirit, rufhed be-
tween them both and the door, and exclaimed
** Stay, madam, ftay ! I cannot let you go :
3 fee your intention, 1 fee your dreadful pur-
■ pofej you will work upon the feelings of Mifs .
Beverley, you will extort from her a promife
to fee me no more !"

'• Oppofe not my paffing !" cried Mrs.
Delvile, whofc voice, face, and manner, fpoke
the encreafing difhirbance of her foul j " T
have but too long talked to you in vain ; I

Vol. IV.. I muft

curity of the honour of my femily." -^'-i-A
i This moinent app?aretf tb>E*t4Vklfeiii«ei^sretj
afid caftingoffin dtfptratiotf&lJ^iittidtt^ii&ta
rtftrafftt, fie fUdcW.iily"fprang,fol'*ilf^ifiwftl
ffnatcTiing the baiKidf Gec^^ia■f^onl■hti^iV6^e^J
he exclaimed, " i caoriot, 1 rflU not give-iwr
fep I—nor. now, madam, nor^V^t-l*— L-jii'oi*
tcft it mod folemnly ! I affifm it fey my^ljeft
■Jujpes ! I 'fwear ;it by alV that t; hoWfesred ! '•';

Grief and horror next to frenzyata dif2p>
^ointmentthu9unexpc^ed,-afld xiwn peJ-emp-
tory, fofe in the face of Mrs. DelvUcj wwj
■ftrjliijig her hand upon her forehead, • c;ri*d,
'"MJ^ brain is on fire !"and rafted wit of ctfe
room. ■ - "-

Cecilia had nowno difficulty to difrt^^
herfelf from Delvik, who, fhocked at tbe.
exctamatton, and confounded by theAiddea
departure of his fnother, haftened eagcrlyi-lo
-pwrfue'her; fhe had only flown ineothcHeJtt
parlour; but,- upon fbllowmg. her thither,
■whatwas his dread'and His alarm, when he
faw her extended upon the fiiror, her face,
hands, and neck, all coVered wjth blood!
'• Great Heaven !" heexclalmedj proflrating
himfelf by her. fide, "wha:! '\s it -you hawe
done! — whVre are you'woonded^——* what
dircrul curfc have you dentmnccditgaiBftfotkr
fonl" ■■■■■ - -■

Notable to fpcak, 'Ihcangrily 0M»oklier

L> Google

fight. '.,..;,;■ 1 ^ ,,.;-. ,

■W«i<ir(d llwliM/stcti tJ>e:firft fufgfpp or phy-

Jli-Sfit«i"JaW> llS»fil)fOHBl"ii*S rf (l<>f ths/fet-
I .YySrWiiMfttfesWPWiSiliM'S-. ficlyUe fuffcifld
dOfslfw terMfsitfros) 'kg[fl^n.i aiid.ffat-

-,fr'?d)/gyft,Sft^ny;afriIJ%!^qfrom:h£?,fon, thac

■jferMWl* »iii>i)5.iri./ptecWe4»gi»>l!. htipnjy
,]iQ9^sd.0F)^aiKlm^tched,ber.

■iOWO Ji^WWt and no longer fcnfiblQ of;p(yf9-
<l»rt>'««fa»f>.:-Y«««re,W apffoach htr: un-
o««fea*n wha«>ad Aapptne^, Ihp yet ^onfidered
>Atfld'9l^'a8'.)tlie^l{irrv|{?:«;aure.of thip dreadful
-&^C» W *fi*wd. tQ riflt the efFe£t of tlic
:iK)Mf&; ^ddiWi^nal ^jDotioij. .
, i-jThsTefijiylt returned -wiph a fyrgeon in ,a
■;fo*tBiiiMM66;/!^«<;iUa, uoabk,to wait and hear
.whathe livould fay,,|;l)dc4 haililji ftut of tire
intKn}i:'fHi/d.Kfe;\y\\et in lliU greater agitation^
jibwpwed h^^Mick.into.ti^e.next parjouri but'
ulwiftft^SgWiy- »4vapced,tq fpeak to her, he
. turned precipitately about, and hurrying iutp
llkcMli -.wlWJp.hafty ftcps DP and down
■ ■■ .;.:.^ ! ■,•!:*. ,. it.

'hy ititluiqt.>counge to «nqMri>^Int>V!»^f^
,. fing- ..',■:';■' .^^ ''. '■'■* '^1''^

At lengthitJK frirgeort^o*#Pe!6ti6rDH»oli*
-flew w him, and 'ftopr'4»ffJ, 'tttit'oaUiy'^irfft
noqueftioo; His- coiintehanct, howdvii-, jftewii
dered words un neceffary ; thcfurgeOBluitte^i
ftoodhiin, and faid, « The lady wiil-dofS^iy
well i the has bu;fl: a blood ^eSA, but Ixhlok
it will be of no conieqijeBCtf.' Ste' rtaoJfc b«
kept quiet andi eafy* ajid opon no accoonte
fufft^red to t^k, or w ufe any exertioTi." > ' i'-

Deivile now lee hrni go, and flew himfelf
intOA corner to return thanks cohesv'en tl^c
the«vi], however great, wis \eh than he-hmL
M ficft apprehended. Hrtheti w^nc inEo the
parlour to Cecilia, ea|^riycillifig'obtj'"He«*
vcn bt jn-aifed, my iBotherhasliotTwkiBcat^Jy
curftd me!"- ■ ■ •' > .•'■'■' ■'-

■ " O now then," ci'iediCeciliai, <*on«J (ttofe
make hen blefs you I - the violence of hex agf-
tation has already almoft defl*oyed"heri Mnd
^r frime is top weakifor ttiis-rtniggye «>f COn-
jending p^fllon&j— go to hor,'itbeBy andicalrti
thiC tuniult ofhcr jifpiritti, by racqulefdrng
wholly in her will, and^beiogto berjagain tJic
■fonlhe thinks Jhc ha«Iaay'/f I 'i , t-; ■■
i" " Aias!" faid^ m^ tooe'ief^hpxJeq^fl:
;dtgo£liou p "-l'haveheen(prti^*iiiFingwii^fetfi^
'^hw purpofij, and ;waitied!ib»i yayn^qmftiimis
'!t^.finall/tdtii(Tmmla!jiieuTV^i!i'i ■,.(!«■ ,iil,jTi'J
J ■ *<. !^Qf ut iecbli g^-iral hti^inftgrit^Aiaid

L> Google

Mrs. Delvile, who, faint and weak, was .
ii»tti.liip9acx:ritttm, cimti and r reding her
teffltfciipijnjlhe fliOTild«r-of- a- maid fMvmt^
Utfk,. f^'toani doascft madaai^ upoa me, and
fprijkj'nWy.bul hear us 1"
vi^Shc'then.took the'pUqe.of the maid, and
delttcd hfir Jiad.thcocher fervaius to go ouc
«£' the,room. Delvile advanced, but hi&mo-
ti&er's eye, recovering, at his fight, its wonted
firCidarfcdiUpon him a ^ance of fuch difplea- ,
fu«e» that, ihuddering with the apprehenfion
of-:- infixing again- thofc paffions which
tfancateocd her. dei):ru£tiop, he haltilj; funk on
OTiei4inee» and abruptly estlairiied, " Look.,
a[t>toc,v»j*h,^fffs abhorre;Tce, for I come but to
itit^ royfelfto your will.','

.*f Mine alffl^" cried Cecilia, *' that will
fbaU be; yoy-nced notfpeak it^ we know it^
and here folctniriy we'promife that we will fe-
paratc.'fQK.evcr/'.'. .■

. ** Revive,, thenj my nwther," faidDelvile^
■^* ;EcIy -opoo-our plighted honours, and thinic
only of yourliea^^ for yourfon will never
niDreQ&-nd .ypm." ..,..;,,'

Mrs. DcLvi^^ mach lurpfifcd, and (i-rongljc

L> Google

" G*r g« Sir,"-'fifd''teetffiaV- criitHy
•hnfied, "y'otfhft>*1'aiy alUhatWhcrtflSryy
leave Mrs.Dft\IHeit6*,'aild"(Wi'-mH tff rtlWe"^
cwnpoled." ■ - i

DelVile iSflSn^tfctytd; and'tlfttMre'iTiW*-
ther, whofe mouth fti'l'f WirM'ilfdHwffl? *ft?9'
blood,' thBiigh' i( ^ifffie'il iKitJ'ffail'Vw with.
tSeViolertce''rtKita*egnAJmiif)rt»aWfti'iin(»tP'
by the jirayirs'of CedlBi to''cottfcM''taVbi"
cftnveyftl 'iritoHtf i'OoM; arid, ii'-Herlflihii;'-^
■dratereffl*val-(ly«*Mt»i«horfe-WIgHt'1>e-d»f)i';
■geT0ii3,-fiic''comi,nttfa!fo,' though 't^iy 'rc;'^'
IdftanWy, wfth her*tiT*eht'c!ltrfcaeiFsi'lfrat%'i?*
»*jv)l* tate eiitirt'jidlRtBbnWit lill"tffc'«c«S"
day; ■■ ■ ' ■' '-

TSiS polnf gained; €ei!ilia1rf('h«, tff'iSltn-i"
municate.what hadpift to"Mt4;Ghki'It6h/bl/t'*
w*is tt>ld byorte of th'^'ftfyarits," irhir'ryTr;
Ddlvfli'tfctged ft(fl'to1{ie.*Ml!If'lier'fti tlW
nextTc6rfi.' ' ■ ■' - ' ■

She Iiefitated for a moment w)i*th?r'ty^ifrtt-l
thrs req'oeft'; biitf>et'6neWntf It was Hgm'to
iequ3M''hirft'wlffl'hii'iti6thOT''iHteHUdii-iif'
jftlying aH -night,- (Ke'-ntnc'to'h?rri;" '-' - '
. " How indulgpntjou are,'""tirifcd'fi<^ rti'V'
trittinchnly vpit-eas Me obewdftte Wof !'*t
a*'n6vlr gmng p6ft"te' 1Jr?1lyiVfe'T*Wf"
iWD'entrcat td'cotrtt'hitKtf'ififeriAfi "BUtT'
■ ■ ' " ' ' ■ j-HliftHB: "

irig'ft/tt"

J td-cofrJt- _._. . ^

• amfe'arfdrof-Vgalfl dffl6fiS>ife^|*rfiHiif:a .
ii)6ft':tHtref4retely;*ipBi(,v64-t<W?mjil«'Hft-'

■<' ■ ■ .-.i.u,, J., rj.i Ki>«JMlp)

. '•.jMgfttmwnJfj I have btj^cd Her to re-
ni«iD twrjc to-DJghi, and I hppe J fhalKprievaill
TtitKhpr cocotitirtuewith me tiH Dr.Lyftcr'i'
arrival ;' after which (he will, doubtkfs, b©
guided eithtr in ftaying longer, or r&nbving-
(^Itewhore b»y. his advice."
: " You- are all goodnefs," laid he, witti aq
deep figh J « and how 1 Ihall fupport — but It
■ mean not to return hither, at leaft not to this,
fioufe, — unlefs, indeed, Dr^ Lyftcr's account^
ftiQuld be alarming. I leave my motherfcl
dierefore, to yourkindners, find only hope^
oniy entreat, that your o\Vn health,^ — yoim
own peacieof mihd'^iieith^r bya«cendanca
opon her, — by anxiety, — by pity* f<tf hoc

/ Heltopt, and fcemed gafping for brtathj
Gspilia' turned from him to hide IWr emotion^
and {le'pfbccedfld.witK a rapJdiry offpeech
fchac fhewed his' terror of continuing with hep
. any, longer, and his ftpuggl© with himfclf to
tc gone •. " The promifc you have made Vr|
bbtttflW names to my oiocher, I ftiall hold
rtiyfctf bound to^obfcrve. Ife^, indeed, rhrt

L> Google

"I will," anfwtred hi, going to the dopr ;
but there; ft'opping'^nd turning r6urid^'"x)rfB
thing Iftould y«," he'addeif, ^i'ilR- cb"i^7
I have been impetuous, vibftnt.'iinrcaftin^Jc*
-7~withfliame and with regret IrepolfcftihA^^F
impetuous, and how urtrcafonable : 1 fiaV^
perfecutcd," where I'ought in filence to likvtf
fiibmittcd J I have reproachedj where I ougfi^
in candour to have approved ; and in the ve«?
hcmenxfe with which I havepurfued yoii, I'
have cenfored that very dignity of condqfF
which has" been the bafis of my admiration,,
my efteem,my devotion! but never cap I for-
get, and ncve^ v^tthtjut frefh wonder remem-
ber, the fwtetnefs with which you have borjie.
■With me, even when mod I offended yoa.'— ?
For this impatience, this violence, this mCQtt-*
fiftency, 1 nowmoft fincercly beg ybur (lar-^
don; and if, ' before J go, you could To far.'
condefccnd as to pronounce my forgivcnefs;,'
with alighter heart, I think; I fhoald quic;'
ybu/' ■ ^ '.■.''■

-■^"Do not talk of forgivehcfs,'* faid Ceciliai"
" you have never dfrended^iife ; i'ajwiy's,''
knew— always was fure — always imputed—"
ftie ftopt, unable to proceed.

Deeply penetrated by the-apparent diftrefs,
hewith difficulty reftrained himfelf from fall-,
ing at her feet} but after. a moment's paufc
and rccolleflion, he faid, " I underftand the '
geaerpus_iri(iulgtni:e;yo,u jiavc fhewn.me, an
indulgence 1 Ihallcvcr ^vere, and ever grieve

not to remember
'. wHh yo» than
nake you t but I
ii^^ifpq^tion na
mother — but no
you*- my angelic
mean, — Heaven

x'esovering %in^
at leaft, of your,
ihaveanychance-,
ffiui feel here r"
li and iitii q\A ^

ed-difloft ftupr-

■got her own de-
^ or aflifting the
pofture in whicFr
>ut riiQtion*.'and

;i;ij:.;^-.; ,;.-cHA,p;;:

L> Google

jor C ^' C V L' TXi'

-■■'■ ;>■! ■• >;.vi I ::)-/;,:< ]-u..i)i';rU;\ttf\jr.'t
- ■ ■: i ,■■■■'■ --f'- v u- ■::ji ;:m 'v.j :;i,i^tcj;Vl.,t
■I -.;■ -■■■■:•. >,;■■,■-. i.-rj.,, jj ,j,., ,t,j, ,;.,., ^ ^-^ ^

footi, however, awakepcd ,bf tnt «ft;^|[a,
l^hy%:Min ^wwjpn^uft.yji^n Mi** pelrlfc'rsJrt|i-.

^th*fc9ili^apprtflefl(ive>Tipa5Jfrjfpto^at^r
the refult of the confultatiOn.' Tae pfiylji^iia,
dtfllifted.-giiwt^jai^ pQfitivc,p[^ttB>.,,&yt,

Me.ftiffeifcdto talkj, r , ,. ' . .^ .] ,

L;ffe9iJii*oiiiiougJ)(^c|^e4^^nd.friAj«l^'^
tlw occafion, was.y«.by.p<ijm'eaiisTQfr53f,4n
order which thus precluded all converfatidji;
unfitted for it by her own rnifery, (be was glad
to be relieved from all neccffity of Imppfiiig
upon herfelf, the "irkfome taflc of finding fub-
■ jcfls for djfcoorfe to which Che was wholly ifi-
different, while obliged with fedulity to avoid

L> Google

^ fi? y p ^ jt- Ai ^m_

<?ifcha % dc»ing: iVfttwoiirs of -her hooft-t*
iSfts'.DrtTJlc, while fhtdrtJ^retfahotlrtP^arti.
Jhcnt to,ti9 prep^cd fgr Cec^fei^ t<rwhofti fii»
wdtriiniftcttd-aJt tRe nnifofetioh her fi-wnd!*

" Cccffii. UerSrewrr tmhapp/i fratf tt>*jt^ »
way'cif (Jinking tfet ind'uTgc in' frffffli grit^

fSW#Wcj;tckfioTi«41cdhe*-tba«H6»'ftH''tiit:»fe'^

' Bow'dilf*^ Wfcw^ro forrow iIkfhffrfM^P, tfllft

■ a(!Fdti6afly beftowed the wftoftH Of kW^iifl*
•'«pon htfr cwo.fickfricnas, diVicfirtgh«l*«tt«l-

■ *a>n'atcorcffng to eff^iir <>wrtdef?fe6ntoft«Stit-
'rtfce, wirJjiirtjf ConfaKmg or regarrttftg art^

fciroicc of h« owrti Ghwtftf, ihdcerf; flic Had

• liom:'; fhe Tbvwi'Mrs. CftaMtfffr^ Ihe (eveVei
j Wts. BdviTe ; the warrnfeft wjni'wirii «rhich.
-her heart gltiwed,. was the recovery of borfij,

• biYttbo'deeJi washcraffliftiontdreecire-plei-
fijrc from ^ifher.

-' Two days [yafli^d thus, durttig which the
'' ebnftancyof hct- artenttance, which at aiib-
' iffslef timewoold have fatigued her, provtct

■ the only relief i\it was capable of rtceivlngl
'■ Mrs. Delvile was evidently afffcdVed hy htr vi-
■'gJlarit Wfidetncfs,' but feeined equally defifOiis

■ with'heHe>f-to make iifr of the prohibirion- 1*
' fpectH as an exifufe fbl" uiiirlterrupted fifefl«el.
■■OTlt'thcjuiTed notcVcrvafVer her fodi though
^'ih'e fragtrfWft'of'h^F lobfe 'towirsU th* dCK)4 .
; Tl^fRfervCTitWilsdpeAedi fhcWcd<itherah0pe,.
i^ ■ • , 16 OS

or'Aii:.8ppiwhfcrinon^tin.h0<iib%lwje^s^-' -CcV)!
f ilia wiihed to tell her whither hernisgcttv^Ii
btt£drtadedtniAingheir.vbibeisvicli:'b»'hantev
^ifd'theiv rileaee,Mafier'a ^ht)e^ iieetnsdiipc/'
mLich by mutual oonfcRt, that (heiiadifc»n>isq
little courage asOie had inclihati6n;obreala:iU'<i
,. ^'hc' arrival of Dr.Lyfterigave herm^clfc'^
f^iisfaflton, for upon: him relWdher-hop«s6f&
Mrs.Delvile'Sre-cftabliflimcht. Heiftnt for.-'
Jief down ftairs, to enquire whether he waS'-
inqsefted i and hearing that he was hot; deltr* '
c4 her to announce him, as thefmalkftemilN ■■ .
lion-might do raifchief.

She -ivturned up ftairs, and aftet^a'&ort .
pFcparacion, faid> *' Your favouricc.0r. Lyii'-
ter, madami is come,, and 1 fhall btmucil '
the fiappiir for 4ia»ing- you under hisicare-fjc;,-:

-*' Dr. LyfterJ" cried ftic,' '* who fentfcr'
him?" ■■ ,. ■ ■'" -^..v

.V I believe*— I fancy— Mr. DclvUe fecched .:
hi(n." .^ ••■■

-" My fon jT'^-ishc.hfcre.'then'?'''-..' ■■ ■■^ ''-.■
, **Noj'— he wtnti, the moment he leftybu,.!;
for Dr. Lyftcr, — and Dr.LJyjflicr is coBne b/^

hittiftif."- . ■ ■ ,;.;,.■•■ i': ) J

■".Does he write lo you ?'■ .r ■.,-.;

'*. No, .indeed ! -^:he writes. . not t^ be /
comJes not— deareft madam be.fatt&iiedj he '
will do neither to me evermore?". ; ' ::-

f* Exemplary young flfiaoil": cr'tcdilhe, -in. •
a voice hardly audible, ■.";howgi-eaa..ifi.his'r

L> Google

c,/E tc .1 it:n lA. .> jo^^

fbbI't!jsoni«errati6i
p*fied)b«woea th

i) pi ^ftirs^. found
and ivc^n(;& that
hini. . Cecilia, gl
gon^ Uft xhie rod
ter'i defirc, for thi
had already at ten

After they had been forne tifne wjth^^ theiy ■
patient,, they/eiixed to a c6nfii!ta[ion,'an4
whcniit .«B3:Qver, Dr.^ Lyfier waited, ijpOD Ce-
cilia<tD the jJarloDr^ and nfliircd her he had no
apptehcnfwMi lof" dajiger for Mrs'. Dclvile :
" (thxmghi for anoftier wcelt, he added, I
would have her continucyour patient, as fhc is ■
nOLycc fit to he removed. But pray mind that
(be is kept quiet; let nobody go near her, :
not even her -own fon. Byihcway he is wait-
ing-forme at che inn, ib I'lljutl fpeak, agjin
tOvhis^moIher, and.be gone." ' i

Cecilia was well pleafed by this accidental ■
information, toJcarn both the .anxiety of Del-"
vtic for hJa mother, and (h^ lieudinefs of his
forbearance fcr, himfclf.. When. Dr. Lyftcr ;
came down (laiffsagaio^ i"l ihall fta.y,";He.
faid, /i'lill tojmonxiw, but I hope (hr wiH be
ablcia anolhcr^TOefck'to.aL-i tuBriftiil. In.the "-
m^eaUkimc I fhaU leave her, I fee, with an ex-
cellent

5K30 V C ^^•I'U'fif,

tcltent iiurft. ■ "But,' mjr gbod^j^jjg^fadjfj «|
ypi^r cace of he'r^ don'^of ^fit ypxitj^fil'aai
not quire pleaiei with your'lotKf/tno'tf^lc
. U but an oJd faJtligned l^cech to tcH ytib jp?^
jpyiut have you 'been '^log to yojinellf ?"^ _
I . " >fbthin§;'''fai.1 flie, ajiitie'cpbitrtflt^i
w'-but hfih yop not fcetter hdyeliJiTu- cta'?"*^'
; ,« Why^jrtii I' tfiipli.Thadarii^Ijut VrHJH
fljall I dp WKh'rhyyoting man ?" ' ■'"'"'
' !'GfeciIia underffooiJ the hiijt, liutc9lciul:edi,
%a.i made fi'o anrtver. " ' ' ■ ■

".He is waiting for me," he continyed^
i'at t'he inh ; 'however, 1 never yei knew, the
ypyn^ma'n I would jirefer to a young woiti^n^
fo if you will give me fome tea herp, I' Ihall
' Sertainlyjlk him."
, Cecilia inftantly rang the bel), and ordfered

?F** ' ■ ■ , '

•' <c vvell now^" (aid he, " remenlber the (In
6f this breach of appbiotment lies wholly at
your door, I (hall t£]I hipi you laid violent
hands on me ; and if that is hot enough tt)
cxcufe me, 1 (hall defire he will cry whether he
could be more of a ftoic with you himfelf^*
' ■ ".I think I muft a»order the tea," faid Ihe.
with what gaiety fhe could afTume, *' if I am
ito be refponfible for any mjfclucf fi'om' youj
drinking it." • , ,

" No, no, you ftia'AtbcolTnowi butpra?

L> Google

-kf- E? C^ 1' t F A.'

:d- af ar charge in
tiOff were implied;
it.asehliertofetid
■r objtifyons,' was
: Mifs Charlt'onsV
Liheywcfit,rotea.
note was dfliverecj
»*• cried he, .wh^ft
ne thing it is M be
H^r. Mortimer tjfr-i
this edtj^aiifs as yoq
r he only ■writes" a
mother does."'
ilia's^hand.

' *, '£b Dr. Lv&ter.

' '^'T^tL' rtie,'niy dear Sir, ;h<w you Miv^
fe^urid my moih<n'"?'t am imcBiy 91 your' long

ft^y, atwi engaged w'^h.niJ' i^jl^nd ^j^^^r

** Sq^ou fee,'' .continued the dpftor,."!^.
peed- not-dopennant'c f^pengaglng myHf,tot
^ofl, when- this young gentleman canfiad'iijcl^
good ent£riaiariient.forjhrm|elf."^ . . -- i-ii

Cecilia, who weU,knew thj; honourable pio^
tlveof Delvile's engagement, with difiiculiw, .
forbore fpeaking in his vindicacionv Dr. L)c£>.
ter immediately began an aofYei:i ^ui; before. '
he had finifhed it, called out,,." Kow ds'I ^m.
told you , are a very good young woman, |^
think y^u can iJo no lp£ th?n,afljll me to pu-. '
hiih this .gay fpark, for playing, the macaromfjr
wHeo he ought to viGc his fick mother." ....^

Cecilia, much hurt for Delvile, and mn^h. .
confufcd for herfclf, looked aljalbed, but
knew not what to anfwer., ,. / , |'.

*' My fCheme," continued the donSoi", *'^Ss
to tell him, that as he has fouod one,eqg;age-f,-..
mcnt for tea, he noay 6nd ancttherforfiippe|-f
but that 35. to me, I am betcec dilpofcd bfVf9r,_
youinfift uponkeepingmctoyour(elf. ^orac,, .
■what, r.ys eljquflle ? mAy I treat, myfelf w^th." ':
this puff?" i

" Certainly," faid Cecilia, e/ideavpopng ta
look pleafL%i,'" if you will' i3yDur,,us ^*"it^^i

L> Google

" Tb^t then," faid the dodor, *' will not-
anrtflef tny ptrrpofc, for 1 mean the puff to bft
mv^owju birliow do I punifli him ? So» fop-,
p^ I fell him I fhall not only Tup with three

yQung ladies, but be invited to i teie^il-tetc.
w4tH one of them into the bargain ?"

■The young ladies only laughed, and the-
dtiftor finifhed his note, and fent ic awayj and
then, turning gaily to Cecilia, " Come," he.
faid, "why don't you give me this invitation?
furely you don't mean to make me guilty of.

Ceeilia, but little difpofed for pjeauntry,
wpuld gladly now have dropped the fubjeft;
bttt'Dr.Lyfter, turning to the Mifs Charltons,;
fall},. "Toung ladjcs, I call you both to wit-.
nriS if this is notverj badufagc: thisyoiing
wo^anhas connived at my wrijing a down-
rigfitfalfehood, and all the time took me iri to,
bnicyeit was "a truth; The only way i can '
thipk of tQ cure her of fuch frolics, is for both:
oryou to leave us together, and lb make her
keep'herward wTirthcr (he will or no."-

■ThcMifsCh^ltonstbok the hiiir, and went
away j v?hiJt Cecilia,_who had not at all tuf-
p«Scd bcjncant fehoufly to fjieak with ,her,-
remained cstrcmcry perplexed to thinlt what- -
he hatf to fay. ' ; ,

^^ Mrs. Dclvilc,'': cried he* continuirig tlje

fame'^air of e^y goo^ humour, *' though I

alm*iS3"'l}ef hot tcr Ifea^ to me above twt;ntyi'

woWsi iook^u^.'nffaf i^ aCMiem to tell, me

that

tim ym had behind lOthetvtU^^ a«ig.?K}
WhyjlO'lhe oi*gbt, crkdU ; AffJiatx«lfe-W«»!
fte ftnci^for' here- to-look To Tikb'oiSis-? I&hw^i
ged hferj'rtcrefofej totalae al) tlv«E asfa^hjiiigl
(ffi-coerfe : and ' tO' prove tHftt-'Ltea^ly Ua^i^ijkn
■what i iay.vl'am nowgfeing' to ' miko;? tf iv»ll
of yoiti th«t,if-.yii>»areiny <Hing-)tlsi:,win ip-j
d(ic€ you to" order Ibme bf your meB -to tlr i y*f
itie ioEo the (Ireet. The truthjs, I havehadj
i little comtniffion given mes which in th*
ffpft place I kiTOW not httw to introduce, am^
which, in the fecpndj as far as I can^jiidge^
ai^pears- to bcaiifol^teiy ftiperfibdus.-'
i G*!cilia-'no* felt HneaHy and' aUrmodi- an^
be^ed hiin to e3?plaiii' Kihirdf. He ttieti'
dropped' the levi-ty-wit^nwhieii ^e-had begiHV
the rfifcotir;"e, and after a- grav^ yet- g«ntj«f
preplarationi expnflrve- of hts-BnwirtiQgiwii?
»*-di{t*ersher, and his firmperfUttlianGf'hiif
uncommon wonhihefs. He acq6aini:ed'h'e'r'thJl.lf
hewas-no'ftrangcr-toherfituatjoh-withrcfpe^
tfrthe Del pile family,

" Good God!" cried- flw, blufiiii^ aixl-

-HJticK-amazed i- " and whcfc-*" : — : ■
■ ■■'^ Ikni:wtt,"faid ht,- " frofp -the (nOnortjT
It attended Mr.Morti'rtTeT itt his ill nefs atOei^

' vrle Caftk-.- HterfuJd n«-coaee«l frorh ^^
that the fe9t of his diforder was hja mind j ,an*S
F coald not kJio^ thae^ . v? jthout- rfadijy-cqnf

L> Google

t«rjhiil til Jn«paH-nr^j'atMfifig ft joufW*^ t' he^
iM^iTOftid^nit ptwjMSrty^- Hisf opcfmefi ro
ccMoftl, aAJ«HetnaiiI^fi>imn«l) «rkh U'bictf Ne*
b»h<«t«!4rf^tekig^«as n«Mlie^me hopf the

iWrK a«;rtfe Gaftk'y •h*nr"I Jiave for fortW'
tiMe^Mleft«liedMt-.'I>hMc; wh6!hgs Md a*

fiwti^Birfef the goDti I fouAd hTOT^n'an ■$>-'
talioii-offpirits chac m»de me apprehend' it'
««t«|:^tNe'4bt<o«mifitft'tfi9*ftoMa<:h> Idefired,
Mrs.Delvilerouft; hcrinfluenpcwcilnfihtth;'
baiftoWiSherfflfiinftiUgreitprfmrtnoniand

a«q«4intl*%mefhfrwa9oblJgcd to Teiwhtm,'
<l«GrCdil>irbuMrpi:nd #ich1if}nT evcrfttiemen^-*
M my power. I have therefore almoft H»ed*
sH;t*iieC«ft!« ddring'her abfencr, and,- in the
ttt^stfcoftfat many-trtxiverfni^ni, he haa-ac-^'
k^ftkd^dto ttwtfteunbafimfs undefwhich'
he laboured, from the inrcliigence coricerni*^
}il^i»ift*ni *hiefPhic'haia-j^'r«<mrd.^' ".
•■ Ceciliawifhed here toenquire*e«>«cei¥edi'
arU'tr&fn whom, bi>C' had not' the coarage^
stif*tJ»wfbrc hep^ocee^kd; ■ -

" I- was fliU-wfth tH* fadier TB*en Mr;"
MWrttWti' airrtVed'b6*-at my WAtifc' to'fttch;
rfteblriiw.' rwtefcntfo»fe6mtf(-hfeinftnntd'
WWbf4ife Htaftd.vrtthowtdi1gwifc,-for he knew*
tvfss well acquainted with the origin altraw
lilWHte dB:5the ^War&fv. itMhUn-my.dirr
trtftMH iWitt rt)fttt*mti&^*tf«' his-fathen ahd'
fit wa* extrtnrteljr fhocked himfelf wiiea atfc
qii^Dted^Wilth h^Jltuauia. 'Wo-agreedtlutt

L> Google

2^9- V. fl U Mi U.. tl;AI'

ic.?rpul4 ,bc yam: f9 SOffOMil Ifnalrifr'thii^ the ^

cidents, inightirvfbme uBfertiuimBrwB|m9fid9#

fent CO Tpy'JQurji£y,;:iVtd'at '^c raitia-.(«ine>Aft
quiejc hi^ oyr^.mi^d^ ^ieiTunDgiunaCiU he
had apprehended was.vfhoi^.atl^n^e^.v - > j
. I^e.ftop^, and ia^kcd to>&a how Cecilia-
borp ibefe .words, -n: ■ ■: ■> ..■ ■■ ■'-''•"■

" k.w all at. an,ei)d» Sirj".feidihe, wrtti*;
firo[^aefsi.,''twit 1 have «>! yet' heard yout ;
CQinmLflioii i ..^JuKii wd froniu.v(ht^ '!•'>
tfval,?";, , . , ■ r ;,.;.,.,- ::

%}( i" tie>anfiy«)«cJ,'.*'fmQe-tihei;^aa*iiig-iHatti
can b^t t\ibmitj;a>nd .foU'Cio- bi.i.E gii^ hint >
MtfA , -■. . ..■■! ,■■; ■'■'■ '■'.■:

" BHt; fiyi, if tliere.,is a ifiefl^e^'jr is fit I i
flioultl hear it." r ,. , .a j- ,:■ v

\", I( you chaofe ,iR,:fo,rt.is....ilt|6lil Mr,;
Cplvile whiiheri wasi coming, andileapeatod.

fie>i(;(il„,iHifi not fatisfiedif he jiypuld; not ^JeB^
hinji, and .gave ^an k)X him a.piphibi'tion' oC:
e^i^eme f^vtritjjrrr^t-afld r«».^fl^ ha'faid rqe

i^TT-"'\:''-- . . . ■■- .^..'.-'iy '■■■"/:
CrciUa, Mf,,frig|i(eped»' aad^xmoh-^if^

im-i^^-' i.-".-i-i !.;.::■> :•--■ ■-■■■■ - --i:

L; Google

■iHWifeinacjoacfnio Bieiitifth yoo" -' -
-:3^I amivejy-gUdy' faid ftie, with a rtr?x-

,t«rD o£!(tdmiralion and-^-egret, "tbhcM'it.
Bwtfwhatj^Sir, faid-Mr; i^tvile ?"
-,: 'jtHtt.iidmettU^u that cithtr ic,' or/cji

-ntaft finrlttKlbii never more, "-
i- ;^i liJ wtK'imleed Jonrrttfeffriry/' cried ftw,

. colouring with refentitient, '* te fend mefudh
amcl&g^.;^ltmcant not toTee hirti again, h^
«neanc not to deflre it; - 1 retbm him, how-
tvcTy\'no aoftwr, ifld I will make hirn no
promafc; to Mrs. Dclvrie alone 1 hold my-

.fctf'bouiid;- ;tohim, fend what mrilftges he

. fmy,d'Sbi»i)!>i\mft hold-myfelf free. Btlt
balteyc mc. Dr. Lyfter, if wichKis name, Ms
fon had Inherited his charafter, his defire of
fturifcparation waiiid be fecfele, and trifling,
compared with my own !"

. ^ilfi .'htm- (oTsfyTiny^igGOd yOuhg lady," faid
bsj ■.•^to Iha-Tc ^itfeav^you' thi$ 'dillbrbance ■
y« isdrrnva ycairiprrit,-- and doobt not 'hue

.ifolwiUenaiiciln yati torfor^ec Any \\ti\e dil^p-
Jwininfiienr you may hsvc ftiffered. Arid

■ wha(jr4ftrr all, (hatfeayoo-tO'Tt'gret ? Mortl'-

-mer Delvfle is, imiced, a young mail' t hit

'V(^itn'i\€Mtmoii.kaMiii.h\m^^&>i\d 'if«o,< 'of alt

wcfmen,havc leaft reafon to repine in mrlTni'g

him.

draw fi-om ehB^fQOeh»^fiw■|Ba»:fi»QiUrJitobi-
-caQle not ■h«-6tMp^ion.uanalM[<»R(it^trU5,

propofed ckUing ui tNcjMiTi £l«iii«atM^ '.-L;
, <'-.Np,i no." ifskiji.he^ ff^rrtttBft-.llfcp' up
again to MFs.'iQdfftkf/Aadrtheiii jjit ^wke.

,-iu)w Jhe is, and ioavcifeEscdirc^ttOBspiKKl
-iet^oE Mr. -Mortrtncrjaclail* Bce9A9Mics
jjHQ b%ck: but hcimcuia toireturnihttberiin
«■a^VfJck,infl^lier.co travd witltiits mottocto
^riftel. :Me4ntii»c,7(^!irpofcto:bri«gr*boiit
-A FecDnciliBiioib-beBwren:iuia]aod'rbi«^obcr»
:.i*4iofcipiiejwdsMs -are, m«« tnCtaiaaWe^riwji
j>iloy.i»*n's liever-mei'with*": ,, - 1 ■ •:

'* Itiw,ill ^e^tfMiige. indeed," raidCcciUi,
*' Ifaotild a-rpcQFcciliMionmtvbQ-'ddtiipulU'' -

" Truci but it jS'i(Mig:finM-lie,>»as-)wa»g
fhiftif^i.|ind^hof5feeirafeflifmfrherttPT»^wfts
:ec(tueiintedivn[h; and.onl^^reg«ni»;^^«»'-i(bhis
-fon as ckrogatpry, to his whole race.. ■-. How-
.ever, if there were not.fomc few fuch men,
;therc would hBrdly.bcva family in the king-
.dom that could coisnt a grtit^suid-FMhcr.
-I am- not, i m«ft ojvn, of hiis hurtiour ;iiiy-
-.ftlfjbut 1, think it rather peculiatly;ftrangcr,
'thari'pecuHarly woFfe than moft .other peo-
ple's i and how,: for example,/ -was .that aF
vour uncle a whit the better ? He was iuft as

L> Google

.c&uhli bract itfrom rbc time of the Saxons."
: ':<E*ailltf>Swngty?&lt-&etWth tt cbis ob-*
■fe*waf««iV h»t not choofing to dtfcufs it, made .
not ^ny anfwcr; UAd l;)r. Lyfter, after a few
gbod-natuird apologies, both for his frtends. ,
the ficMlosv and bmafelf, - went ap ftaars.
- '•f'iWhaBtfohtinUal drftwfbabcc" cnbd ffie,
•wNm : t*ft.iahioe, ■ »''l£««ps--me -thus' ifor ever
^om rafth'nofooner.Tfilovo^voundclarediibDt
isnothCF.-ie t>fiisncd ; -mditlficatiQn :CsaRantly
•feceveds^dtftr^ftvatiliiwfaen'nbjr hearc is .{pared
■m^r^prido iuattacVed^^itfaat not.a moment.or
■«anqliiHicy may, cvtnbe .allowed nie!.- Hisd
Ithetotnft'-of ■ftoiEicn svion the niffoStions Of
'MhiDolvney:could'imrftther,:with lefexltU-
•Jaty •^yJtffcdScwnBykaw'acquaiaMdiier with
h'ti inflcxible'difappMtbaeion'? :To fend with
Toilmte cierbnionfna meil^c-fo cotucmptoous
and. fo .|iferenip«ory:i— ^but perjiaps r it -is
■betttft-,- for had-Iie,.'t)oo, like Mrs. Delvilc,
goinettitirtdoBftr With re^cdion, X might flrill
•ffttfre'tfffcAly iKTreifclt the ' pcwerfeae^of -1115
idetiihy. ■■■■■'

chap;

c H A "P. rv.

A Pa R T I M a.

'T' H E next morning Dr. Lyfter caHed
. early, and having vifited Mrs. Dfelvile,
-'and again met the two gentlemen of the fa-
culty in whofc care fhe was to rernain, he
took his leave. But not without contriving
firft to fpeak a few words to Cecilia in pri-
' vatc, in which he charged her to be careful
of her health, and ,re-animatc her fpirits.
** Do'rt't fiippofe," faid he, •* thatbecaiife I
am a friend of the DeNile family, 'I am cither
blind to your mcrics, or to their foibles, far
from it} but then why 'Should they inter-
fere with one another ? 1-et them keep their
prejudices, which, though different, are not
worfe than their neighbours, and do yon re-
tain yoiir excellencies, and draw frorri them
the happincfs which they otight to give you.
People rcafon and refine themfclvcs into a
thoufand niifrries, by choofing to fettle that
they can only be contented one way j where-
as, there ate fifty ways, if they wOuld but
look about them, that would commonly do
as well,"

" 1 believe, indeed, you are right," an-
fwered Cecilia, " and I thank vou for ihi

L> Google

ftudying your fcheme of philofophy, and it is
always one ftcp to amendment, (o be con-
vinced thoe we want it.*' •

" You are a fenfibic and charming girl,"
iaid Dr. Lyfter,. " and Mr. pdvile, fhould
he Bnd adaughcer'in-lawdefceiided in aright
liaeifrgoa Egbcr.t, firR king of all England,
won'c-befo well off as if he had fatisfiedhim-
fclf with you. Hoy/ever, the old gentleman
^s a f^ir right, after all, to be pleafcd his
own way, and let as blame him how we will,
we Oiall find, ypon fifiing, it is fot no other
reafon but.becaufe his humour happens to
flafh with «iir pwn."

. " Thaf, indeed," faid Cecilia, fjniling,
'.* is, a. truth incontrovertible! and a truth
to which, for the future, I wlTl codeavour
to give more weight. But will you permit
me now to a(k one queftion ? — Can you tell
qie from whom, how, or when the inteili-
geifce which has caufed all tliis dillur-

banc« "

. She he (1 rated i but, comprehending her
readily, he anfwered, " How they got at it,
1 never heard, for 1 never thought it worch
while to eng^uire, as it is fo generally known,
that nobody I meet with feems ignorant of it."

This was another, and a cruel (hock to
Cecilia, and Dr. Lyftcrj perceiving it, again
attempted to comfort her, " That the af-
fair is fomewhat fprcad," faid he, " is now
not to be helped^ and therefore little worth

Vou.lV. K thinking

thinking Ofj cy«y body will agree that the
choice of both does honour to bodb^ -mod
'nobody need be afliamed ^ bff fu«fcflbr«6
either, whenever the courfe of 'tWngaleadB
Mr. Mortimer and yourfelf to mafccaBOthw
t)^t^. He wilety intends to go ebroad',
and will not return till he is Hs own mnn
again. And as to you, my good young
fed y, what, after a (hort time given to Vexa-
tion, need interrupt your happihefs ? Ywn
have the whole world before you, with yoBth,
fortune, talents, beauty, and independence {
drive, therefwe, from your head this unlucky
affair, and remember there can. hardly be a
family in the kingdom, this one<excepted,
that will not rejoice in a connexion' with
you." ." -

He then good-humouredly /booh 'hands
with her, and wenr into his chaife. '^

Cecilia, though not flow inrcmarking dw
cafe and philofophy with iwhich ;evcry ®ne
can argue uf;on the calamities, and-moraliize
upon the mifconduiJt of others, had liiU the
candour and good fenfe tofee!that theire was
peafon in what he urged, and to rcfolvc'upon-
making the beft u(e in htr powcrof the hints
for confolation ftie migJit draSv fibm'his dif-
courfe. .:.'■.'■■■

' During the fblioT-Itg weok,. /he, diei'Ojttl
hcf'iilf aim -ii wl.oliy CO 'Mrs: Ddvile, flla-

L> Google

MH-Q^Iiervsnd' leaving ttr riie .Mif&ChsHe*
kma msnti^tsf lam'tif ^etr:^al[]d''mottier.
^oinMrsi'Delvtifc appeared ovcty hour nierc
ifeaflbfeof 'htr attention, andmnwdcfiroui
tjfifeprpwS-iicp^ siAtkovgh nffrrher o F'tht m
^ckc^esch vas endattd co the tithc^BIII^
-taBdcT'tjfficBs of fricndftiip which were '^id
;?«idi.FtGBi»ed. ■

-.'/When tbia week uras expired, ;Dr, Lyftcr
EMai prevailed upon co return >again to Bury,
HiWder tw travel himfelf with Mrs. Dclvilft
to^BiiAoH^ «'Well," cried he, tikitig Cecilia
by ehcfiffeoppiwniniryafid'e, " how are ycrn?
j4«T- jrou-^idiod'itiy fchcmc oP philofophy,
as woQ iproiniied me?" !
■ ; ** O yesi" faid fhe, *' and made, 1 flatter
iryfelf, no little proficiency."

-^ 'Ybur are a good grrl," cried he, "avery
extraordinaty girl ! 1 am Cure you are; and
wpaa tny hiinour I pity poor Morlimer with
-aiimyifoul! Bat he is a noble young fellow,
andibffh&ves.with a Dours'ge and fpiiic that
docs me good to behold. To have obtained
youi hcwbufld have moved heaven and earth,
.^iatn-finding )-ou^iit of his reach, he fubcnits
•to hbrfatc^likc a man."

Ccciiri's eyes glirtcned ■ at this fpeech ;
"' Yes," faid fbe, "he. long fince faid 'tis
:fi»tpewlle,:'tis.hope, that make the mifery of
-lifit,-^foi">'there'the paifions have all powej^
and leafon. hati none." Bux wlien evils are
irrancdiablir»*and.we-iuve.ocitlierrcfouj-ccs to
K 3 plan.

L> Google

plan, nor caftie-building ro'-iMtrd^'iA^, We
find'tilne for the cultivatitin of tihHbffibByi'
and flatter ourfelws, pdriiap^, tHatrVcra^H
found inclination!" ' ■ .^-^ms.T

« Wby^yoii have conGderfd tMs riisftff
vg!y dpcply," faid he j " but 1 muft nofhsA't
you give way to tliefe fcrious- refleftidfis.'*
Thought, after all, has a cruel fpfte a^airtff
happihefs ; I would have you, therefore, kce|i
as much as you conveniently can. Out of irs
company. ' Run about and divert yourftlf;
'tis all you have for it. The true artttf hapi
pincf^ in this moft vrhlmlical -world, fcems
nothing more nor lefs than this. — Let thofc
tvho^avelcifurc, find employment, andthofq
who have bufincfs find leifore."

Ht then told her that Mr. Delvilt ftoioi'
was tiibch better, and no longer d)n(ifte(J ttj'
his room : and that he had had the pli^Sfure
of feting an entire reconciliation take pface
between him and his fon, of whom he was
■ more fond and mort proud than any Other
father in the imiverfe. '-/ '.V ' ^

' "Think ofhim,'hbwever,' m^ (Jeii'^oung
lady,*? he continued, "'n'6ftioi^for;'tHe'fniT-.
fer 1 fee is dcfperate ;■ you' ^mi'^rSUn'' iiif

L; Google

^1^ i;call)t avcry^oodx»ne,.oQlf when people
afo prejtraic«l, aU reaitoning is thrown away
uppj^j^Wli, I prppored Unking htb your
names', fince' they are fo at variance with one
90pfhpr, and ^adapting a third, by means of
a title. But Mr. Delvile aogrily declared,
that though fuch. a fcheme might do very:
welt .for. the needy Lord Ernolf, a Peer of
twenty, years, his own noble anceftors fhould
vevet, by-, his conCent, forfeit a name which
lb. many centuries had rendered honourable.
Hi& fon Mortimer, he added, muft inevitably
inlierit the title of his grandfather, his uncle
being old and unmarried ; but yet hewouM
rather fee him a beggar, than lofe his dearett
hope that Dihilcy Loid Ddvile, would dc-
fcend* i>oth. earns and tiik, Trom gencra-
•fioQ to gcQcration unfuUicd and uninter-
liuptcd." . .

> '*,J am lbr;y, indeed," faid Cecilia, .*' that
fuch a propofal was made, and I earneflljr
entreat that nOne of apy fort may be re-
peated."

: .," Wellj, yell," faid he, " I would notfot
thCr wprid tjo any mifchief, but who would
(tot hayEC fuppofed fw^h a piopofal would have
«lbnegoo(i?"

, f ,Mr. Mpwitner," he then a
ipj^«.i^M-p — for be would I
cp,ni^ again, w jljip plac?, upon :
tie, was here bift.wecjtf for .the'
of |;tup Jciog^'s d^ijiinibns^" ,

K 3 ^ .iftc

L> Google

The ca.rrHpge'S«M'nb(w
Dclvile was prcpttrcd to dc;
proacHed' to rrfiie Jeare of h'
foliovvihg-, faid, ** No taMtii
no ctfrnplffnentsaf anyfcfft
my patient without pcrii
ipeecl), and for ah the rue
goilty of, 1 tan -willing ro b

Cecilia wouid then ha<
Mrs. DtlvKe, holdirrg oxit
laid, "To every chingeWcj
contrnt rofubrtiiti but wre
taring the words, i Cinitot I
able creature withoiit firft
I love her, how I honour,
her ! without cntreatrng be
'her ncalth) 'ane' <5onjtrring
the greatndi of her condu£
"her fpirits to link from tli<
virtue. And now, my I
youl" ■

She thpn embraced her, i
'tilia, at a motion of Br. L;
to follow ^r.

'' " Amtthus,-" Crtetf fhr
feoiJe, " thus endh ^1 Wiy
tnisfaifiily ! which it fcems
ftivv fttiown for rile itirtK
new proof bfthti ittftiwcien
cfenflyme happ(*rt'ft'.-"M'h
mineas-tfce'terfsftidtfof! h
And fo, perhaps, it1s,-^r i

L> Google

U«iCT ^^4 humanity are never permitEed to
cppic nearer."

-. 'And thps, in phUofophic fadncfs, by rca-
■fi^ngiUpQn the univeriility of mifcry, (h«
jf*yttf-aipedi aC leaft, all violence of Torrow,
thonghr her fpirics were dcjeftcd, and her
bcarc wju beavy.

But the next day brought wilh it foni*
COvnfort that a little ligbtrnsd her fadnefss
Mrs.^harlton, almoft wholly recovered,.was
ablq to go down Hairs, and Cecilia had ac
Jtaft.thciratisfaiSiQn of feeing an Happy con-
cluGon to an illncfs of whichi with the ut- .
iBoft cpijccrO swi regret, flic confider*l he^-
f«lf as the cau^. She attended her with tl>e.
jca^& uflreinittiDg afTiduicy, and being TcalLy
■wry tii^kOil» endeavoured to appear^B^Mi
-.and flattered herfelf that,, by continual ,«^'rc
4bc appearance iil alhcrt tiise would^ecoipe
Kiiky.

Mrs. Charlton retired early, ant] Cecilifi
WCOiiip^ucd hcrupftaifsi and whiltilhe was
,with heo was inforiTijed that Mrl Monckton
was in the parlour.

' .The varicH)>, affiifiing, and uncommoR
;{c«ji^ in which 0^9, h^d been engaged finae
,Stvf laftfaw hitn, had ^Ipncft^ wholly driveiR
.him from her r9mecnbran«e> «r when at an^
,^H^JW hfirreCRrr-cd <&. it, it; was only to attri-
fifeWfjthf4ifefl«^PB«nc<: p{ his wifus-to tl^e

-d. j:.u: y.. VI.. n :; -.^^ 4:- - ' follow

L> Google

don cxpc4iti9% t - . ".-'jid i. ynii-moi jbw I
^ ^^itlH: •therefore] {kf ^ BMH-Ctfjnv^Iniiir-

and fi»rfi>l of his ca^^irtTs.'^tRio.d^^adnsHflo
had ncaily Toretoldi /heiwtni hwo wtriouatet>
■with chafjfin.ptiri waiteU uiwrt^JriiBtiiirrthtaw
moft p^infu] cCoffcifi^ii. . ■ 1 ' ; :: ii:"-'i;3

-Far different wcrp. ihe focling* ofiMn-j
Moijcktonrj, be.read^in her.ieounttnarioet>tkel
dcjedion^oTtlirappoifitiTKnt, whjchimproffcd"'
upon liis h^«rt the- viv«ciiy iof JK>pe:r hTt^
evident ftianao ww to" Wim fcdteftmimptv'l
Iicrjll-canceeitd^ifofiiew revived aU'hit.DiEv- ■;
peflations. '-'it . i.^

ShtiaftBybegaij. t^oxrferktion-irfitatn^M
tiQtyif\^hzr:ikbf tohwfuand A^off&hg&Kd
not payjr^g jt fijfr moment /haiW*s::cif tage*-;:^
He knew.buj too.«feliif«»Wih« iiftwh^bcca. ,i
occupied, aod afliired het-jthbdrlftywaKvtfioDji :
■immaterial. >. .■ . { ; ■- ' • . ^: ;?

He ihep Jed toaa eoquky intO'thei'pre-.jT
fent fituation (4' her.affairai Jntt unubk.tai.!
endure a^.difqiiifuioni'.Whidii.cowM'Oaiy be:;
jjroduiQive of (EnfureaitdfnwtificBtkMii &ui-^
haftily ftoptu, extlaUTWi^,' ■.*'*& tne noc, -
I entreat youi Sir, any detail of whiai:iui&!j
paffcd,— — the event has brought me fuffer-
ings that may well make blame difpenfed
■with; — I acknowledge all your wifdom, I
&mjj||^ble of my own error> but the affair

L> Google

icnrifo^.^pti^ivd the oAhai^pyeoniic^ion
I was forming is broken offfor-ever!"
~':iittIeiiov was Mi*. Moritkton's efibrt in
re^nrflbig ittttfanitcr caiioficf, arid he ftarted'
ctther-fii^ds «ilf) rcsdinefsi gaiety and ad-
dbc6u..'i^e- VKnttopfd Mrs. Charlton, for'
Widm.'he had not ihe fmatlcl^ regard^ hr
talkni to her of Mrs. Harrel, whofe very
cxiflftnce vas' indiSitfeiu: tb himj and he
ipd£e>of duir <:oniinon acquaintance m the '
coatittiyr'for not bne of whom he would
luregricvcd, if a0ui«d of meeting n6 more.
lib. powers of converfation were enlivened'
b7iiisli6pei>i andfa*seiihilaratcd-fpi(4csnTade-
all fubjefts fcem happy to him. A Weight '
was nBtToied- fitini -hit mind whith had nearly-
boinsdownev^t) haFeotioteA hof^s';' the ob> '
jed^ef iris^eagwpur&it fesemed ftiti whhm' -
his isach,- and tlKrivft) inco whoft; power life'
had Jbiacely almoft beheld her delivered, was' -
tptaliy renounced, and no longer to be dread* '-
ed.) : A^nrvolutidB fuch jft-tbi«,-raifed-espec-
taaoniimore fanguine thaiieveri arid in quit- '-
ting theihoufe,heext)hjngly cdrtfidered Him- *
ftrlf releafed ftow* -every obftacic to his views '
— .ciJl-, juft » be iriivwi toflw, h*r-ec6llc£ted !
hiaWe-i' ''

ija.a'J.fl.lj ■^riiLi'i 'oAi. '! . ; ■' ;' '■■' ^ '- ''•'
1 mob*!iv/ luov i:-; s^.,..j-. "■.*.^ r i-- ■

K 5 CHAP.

L> Google

I

: .. '■ ■■ .' : J -j-j iKii . t;j ; r.i:jjji' n 3i loj il».
• -: ;; r-j.\ m/v v .. i I,;;., ,nn otfmolri jo!

- ■.■■-. ■: ^-,i>.i n .k'. fsjiT7 r-c'l

.A. T^t Ttf .,-,;; ,|,,it'ji.-.

^ WEEK p»fflc4.,:dWTfig ?Bfcwh?C*wU»,

however fad, fpsnt iar, ciiBfiiM w^iftL
with the f^i^ily* ^rnyin^tp bcrrdf alj v«jm-
t.afy indui«R«p,)rf.griteft,fi;a4 fprbetrwg'toi
ipek conluTuioa &o[a f^lUtxifj .«f rdicffiefrt
ccar$, She iKver owied.Delvite^'SiP'bcggsdi
Mrs. Ch|>rltQit never. to rneAtton -hiipA;;.d^c
catted. toherAi<^,theiaccQU{irfte had rep^vfd
,irom Dr. Lyftcr trf^UjiuimflefBi, .iiwiiorMjfl^-
>oujed,,iby »n-!EflH)l<niji «njbflt«)qi.j» (or,v^y:
her miwi fiwa the^ wcftknefi i«if ;4c{Hv^»n
*ad regret. .' ^ .:. -,.■,■ .. ,> ,; ■

This we«k>fl:WO::kiOffirMggIe;wkha)!tv

feeliDgs, va»j\*ft*liipfcdt vh«iv^e*eflcJfr«d
. by the pQft Mw, Wfcwws ^KFiffflSd Ml*.
Dclvile. },,•;. ;;i

L> Google

moft €ofr9t to receive. Ves I mean not to
«& for it in return j to chaiice 1 will truft
for ioformuion, and I only wrice tuxw oo iajr
I IbaJl WFitqi no noore^

Too much int thanks is tf hat I owe yo^

and what I think of you is beyond all power

^upreffion. Do- not, then, wilh me ill, ill

as rhave feemcd to merit of you, for my own

. hewt-italmoft broken by the tyranny I have

'^Ktetv-MmfDelled to prat^ife upoa yoiu-s.

- Aoct-now let m& bid a long ddieu to you,
"■■*n^ admirableCeciliai you (Sail not be" tor-
' 'zaented wii^ ^ ufelefs correfpondenCe, which

■ **iH>fl]y awaken painftil rccoiieaions, or give
-rift t® yeffliofe painful new anxietiea. Pcr-
WetHiywiU t pray for the reftoration of your
■ '^appirMffS', to which- nothing can fo greatly
-'tftntribuie as that wife, that uniform com-
'nnidftdifoftfminiHe.yetfo dignified; you main-
tain o-vcr your paffions ; which often I have

'■ admired, th<H^n never fo feelingly as at this
- eOnftiOos' moment! whetv my own-health is
'^the fftCfiticSe ol^ emotions molt fatally iinre-
ftrained.

Send to me no anfwer, even if you have the
fwectncfs'to wifh^; every new- proof of the
gcnprftfity of your nature is to me but anew

■ -tfound. Forget us, therefore, wholly, — alail
^'■fmL hay^ PO^ knofin„ws..&)r,.f9rrp\^f— for-

.,.\.,^u\- r^r-\\',^ I .k»,

L> Google

refigHitioh'oFCerfiUi,' th tV Wtierntoftjioywd fane
the »htggle! 4iik' tftkr] '-^e^ipitthf^ffltslai^kw:}
end; itnd i^r'biirft1nt& Wf'^dKf ali^aKisjiti
which -ahdihg the vent ihieyliil^Itti^rab^lib^ol)
now flawed uniheektfdddwiflWfVchedMi'lsd-i'
moiiitorsr of tlic vteakA'ifi'iif'tcafdH-hp^mi
to the ariguiBi of'forroifl ' " * o* ■.:>''n,Ti: bin
' A l(Jtter atbtrcefo caftiffingj yetifoaMidowf o"i
forced its -way to her heart, in fpiwef'ttaFfeifc o3
fitndeffie had flAtefed hcift^lf WaS'i'tBguWdi
In ■giving op Df IvHe Ihe was'fstisfied^ftf uhe '"'
propriety of feeing him nO" more, artd'CGoa ■.
vinced that even to talkof liim vtouMibefirdfj*
and imprudenct ; ' btit ro be »Mlh8t^tl«e:''. ■
fuforethey m^Tcrrtaln ftrahgtft'do'i'h«>t*i»ir
iftence of each other^i^rhert*' feerficyjiw dlls^ r. ;
hardfhip, a rigour; 111 at *^afe'lHfdpp(»ftUj]e(!''

•* Oh, ■what. Cried ftie,^*ii hiimano^wrpli:
in its beft ftate how imperfcft!'ttiit''i''WOml«P^
fuch as this, fo nobl* in chiri^^t'i 6i>\Ae- ■
vated in fcntimenr, with hefolftft «&f'fecrffl(»'^ "i
to'hc^'fetife of duty tNi hip^fi^of'tiTont
whom Vith' joy" fhe wouWdie't** fcrvfi"'cail- 1)
herfelf be thus gOmntd by tJ?e}v*dlf«^evthlis' ■■
enflavcd,- thus fubflu^d by <>pliiion !''■■' Yee ■;
never, even wh^n "rTvifcfable; uft^ft'JOfiiTi^ ■■■■
tiotial'ihtr grief was unrfiixtdlMWiihiahBert-i.
and her tears-ftreari^d nbt'ftorti-'rtftiiifeiwrity.ii
but affliftite: Thd fitftltPW^ ftf'^Mf«JJD*Ko<4
vile, howeverdfflWtttti flir«irt(KJ^K(}*Hw>BS oj

L> Google

and tfff eWt>ft) nfll jWi MiC^th-i^-m^ ST**- : ;
natBMsWto i»(j»)iri|«t^,.:iiq?,fuff^^';Wcre,.- ,

toTtfeai^rife ndc^once of grief which &e .:
had granted to her dl^mpointmcat:, (he waa-. , -
foqn^iiiAwrttpt^- byaTHipmofis do.wn^in
to aif^e«(ktnail> '. ;,

lS.a&t^»afi»am\ViDg fobs fan, fi^e tagged. ,
thsclb^'flnfight leav4bisNnanTc^,aiid4p[>oiQC-a' '
tiracibi^ ogling again.

Hferlmiiid.broqght foF:aofwer,-tl^ai; Iic.bft-._
liev()d-i^inaen|e waaunknoijvin toj^j*, aj>(lder .
fired<0"f«rJ»CT, »qw,.9i>jej>,ftie was €i?ipi*oy<;4 -
in fomts matter ^fn^onftcniT, : (,,..,.

■ Shc'dwfh^c upljff ietterj and went into
theparknir.fc and chfre^ to hrrMi^niteamafe^
inaWiriiwheW Aflf-iAlbfiny,. , ,,

iSHow liHlt, SiF,"^ ftiei cried, " did I ex-
pea)libi3'|»Je»f»m.''-| :'■.■' -^ - ; j: -

■ ?f,(Tbi*plMiwei'' Fppeated Se, *' do you ,
cali it ^-T-wfcbat -ftra^e^.abnfc of, words 1.
what'^auiekfa ,tfiRj/ig mth.hont&y-l .is lan-^ ,■■
gii9g£ of Do.purpolei but to wound the. ear ■ .
wirh^whWVthR? , U' thc.igift ^ fpeech- only .
gr9«edrUfl.t»pwySTt-t|ie,.,^ of ondi^fftapd- .
ingT^ irflaiii!gjv«;,)i(^q,np:pM^'*''o> \ ha-ije,np,,.,
poMfefitagifetit^Ojrftdflg KHq'CaiV;giveTio'np j
tome*r*-«iiC¥ftoiB:9^ble<wW:ilftt;Uiveft,you ,
with'tfcC'BWamX-; -■.'.' ' ;■■■•- j ■;■■■,-.,.■■ . ,

. 'i, , " Well,

Joieiit to defend hed&IC '^IffttJrtwt^Hn^BM
tb« cxpiciTiMiA bucof t1iM:I;wiU'UAfeigncdf]r-

a^re yoM> I amat Letfi: >S:^l»d}t)ainn|wiii.
juft DDWk 3S J Ibould be •P'lee «ny!:iuf«iV'

. " Your ey^," ami ie, "imcnda^viiir
yaw is inarticula4ier-^yoitng*. rich, .«n4«ti-
nadivir, the world ».)r«ur.fc(;t^ itJiAt wotld
yrc uiiu-ied>.aHd tK fftViiihvod opkfMwth. hmr
have you thus found means to.«ncic4pAW rnw;
fery .' which way hate you <M(3ov«red *hc
cauldron of humftQ woes? Ewtltaditariif tat
ticipationl that cover owe reoiflwd. PHP-ma-,
vcr be replaced J thofc woes,- th«&r'^)ing
\vses> will $>o4aF out upfi«i lycHtrCOiMtnMbUjv
a^ only wiien your hc^t .cni^f»^»tti Wl
their ebullition ccafe to torture yoi*)-' . - -

" Alas I" cried Cecilia, ftwddoring, '*bow
jcntsi,. yetiww true!". , i ; , , i ■

" Why went you," cried hfk/fiE^tithe CBwt-
>^r<ai; .itconienotfiaifot;* ^iEiyfy»ksBOt
man, but man miftry, H,eiW*Uwowtiti*fc)S
fun; but ftoips^ot fcr a cjqtidi. C9nfid*nt,-hp
pMifucs his way, ttlj ,tbe. ftstrrifwhich, g^cher-
ing> he might have avoided, burft ovcr-tbis
devoted head- Scered-Aivl ^fTMized^'he- pepenta
his lemerlty i he calh, huQ U i$ qbefl,'tpg IftKi
he runs, but it is thunder wha^th^foltoWRbw*!.
Such is the prefurapciw t>f mw, ifi>ej» ai flOW

L> Google

iiagftitfatt'thyWgter^astoeyefaeimpntfar'tran-
^ttuH^t-'ittmitialtng chat! krrely<nm[»aniDn oC
^(^HMh'44Mly< imiocence, tilt, aftronttfrous and
WhkA»%, dwu^tft loft her fbricver ]'*

iflittiepre&nt-wcak ftaieof OcMiaVf^irics^
-iM«atiMri(?«BS toonucbfbrlMri^ndtbe tears
Sat hud fa&> jwd m'nh difficcAty reftr^inecL
again feroed their way down her clieeks, m
^Wnfwtred; " it is i)ut i!«o cmc^ — I hive
■ibft her for ever !"

ji^'JPoBTtfcfcig/' faidhf, wbilei^t^ourof
-Jlii WHtRCcnanoc was foftcntd inio e^ geotleft
-conHBiliMcxtionT " lb yaungfl^^-loeking, tod,'
:taitnmc^ l-«>*iit hard"-- And is nothing lef^

iMftnelf t^Mkrilvr yet aotirhoU)r'eningui{bed

credufity-i"

v/'-Cecitia wept ■without anfwering.

** Letmc not," faid he, " wafte my com-
^flkmiupon nmhif)^'} cornpaffion is'with me
Jno flffUldniof affei^tBncJrt i tett me, tbeti, it
^AXM-Atfcpmk i^ or if ih^ mnfortuheis are
4rtia^na*yj andthy grief is fai^itious ?" >.
-1 ((f^auioDs," ripcatcd'fhci " Good hca-

arttfWo -■.■:,, ... v -

^"^•lAfirfWr «ie, thvfj, ^ chefe quefttons^ in
iwMcb'iift^iit compiife the only cahmitics fat*
•wkdth'fdrrow'tws'tUFPotitroo), ornoAc-TrorA
tofmiA ttTOtivfts, TeH me, then, ha^e Jou.
Wft'Df (leatht^Mc^offniFbortmif" '

-....! .,^,;..L!..,c..-: ;>-■ r. «Ii

L> Google

xance, ^ yojiP jDOwerii^- ndievi^l t&e<Hw^
ftrefledat aa-end ?' - .r ? i.-lu-j-rd i -jiiriw
" No i the power and the will stef^hopep -
fqtiillf uodiminilihtd." ,ct.' i uoO •'

*V Q, Uien, unbappy girl I .hxte^frnxbtmi-
guiltjr of fome vi», andhangs rfirmufe^tfaua -'
&ayy od your.coafcieRce ?'■ ■ ■ 1 T '^

"^No, poi tbrnk heavcB, n>'cfcu<nulr'rpr'
atlcaft, I am a ftraiig<;r]" - ;■><.■

.Hit counteiuncc now ^ain rdumed its fiSi-^
Terity. and^ in the-fter neft maaBcr,. " Wibence '
then," be faidf " thcfe tears f and wlntii.tbis .
caprice you dignify wkhtlM-namedf famiw-f
—^flraQgc, wMtsnocli of iisddlaoca: and ivx^ '
tiry ! pcrverfe rcpinirtg o( ungratt&l'-plcaij^ '.
tudclt^ofi-iiad^ thou kiu>wr\ what-rf hirt
fuffi:re<);!— " ; ■ - - ■ . r ■ --' :.'-i

■ ■<' Could I leflfen what; ypu b3n>.ftiflwred,^-^
fgidCccilia,. " Jihoukl.finccFvly njoics^ixn^-'
heaxy jndeed tnuil be }^uraei£tian,d£(nld«
ia its compatifoB dctfcvn tD-.fc^Tftylsd; 'tft-?^

priee !" ■ ■ 1 ■ ■ - :.i\: r'n- ioac^:,^

. "Caprice!" «peatcd fce.-f-^'darjnplT^hr.E
excacy competed with RHficl-«-Thou tiaft Mt
in Jiccntioufnefs waA^d chy io^MtitaBcei t^mSi '!
haft not by remOffeWfedcacJ aveiaktovi^-^
joymCRtl npr yet hoa t)te-«ohi'gra>fe<iciifacftn£.
the beloved pf itbyifojtl3*;,;i> ', «bn; ,o>l>*

L> Google

boftaaflj l^anpiHtai'^mi t mdt MUr them -
while I breathe ! I may mi ^^>- perhaps,

" Good God!*' cried- €eciUa,'*hfmWn^,'

"TiwteGuevrwM^is'tMi! h<rw fuU i>f wofe'and

■ widdBdik&W- .-,■- - ^ ■ ■ ;

" Yet thou, too,' fafift corftplaini*' "cried"
hcf-^^tkoagfelnitipy Irf life's only bW^ng, In-
nocence I thou, too, caaft triumiUr, 'though "
^FiHiger to^irtrii'Sonly terror, SiiiT'XJyei, if
thy>fowoW"is'onpoWuted vwtth giiilc, bevre-
g«xUeistf£^ elfe, and rejoioe'iri ihy-d^iny!* '

''•^But'i^fco,"' Pried Ihe. deeply figSiAg!, -i.
*' ikiA tcacbirwtfoch a kffott ofjoy,'' v«'heriu]
'wkhiafifc««ti]ppoft'it?'' - " ^ • '

' -Ity triKtkc^i" wiH teAth it thee, ftrl i/ill ;
■tell thee my own fad ftory. Then wife thou •
■firtdthowliiiuEh happier « thy l6t; then *ilt
tbott*iitfB4hy heidio:thankful triumpll."

i^-Gk} no 4i triumph' cottitfs not ib lightlyl-^— ■
yctif )aiii^iU»eotij»te^thift mewith Tome '
account of yourfclf, I fhall be glad to hearl^ >
aiwtynbdi'oWigtJdhy Hfc communication;""

5Tjl*iiU'^btf«nfwei«ti;'* whatever IrnSj? '
fuffcirr t(»::aM8kciit the«ifi*6m this dreanfi of '
fanett6!f««ow, TwiUo^n all fny wountis, ''
andshoiiAalt^prsbcthemi^ithfrefh fh^me.'^

"No, indeed," cried CeciliS'w^rh qutckncfs,
*'I:«lilbiioG-h9»l)lo^,jrther^l»ion will be lb
pai«fa]y*fii .'■; b?fl:iiu": uj-..o- -■'- .'

** Opoa ■

L> Google

** &ncc.gum(hm^nt and ^ci^tFefK^ialoi^^ivit
ipe comfort- i will |^]1> lh(ic,itl>«ffqf*v0y
crimes, that thou mayeft know ^)i«\¥*,Wit
city, left, ignitf^nc it r^eansf^iingit^it in-
nocence, thpu fhipMl'dft lofe kj. \iSkao9(f$m» «f
its value. LiHen then co nne, an(i IfflrAH'^M
mi&ry is t GiuU is al4Wie,cbc j:^jSi^).aftiQg
unhappinefs ^ guUt is the M&s cf mifl^ and
therefore I ^m a wretch fof-cvcr!"
' Cecilia would hAv« agaio declined hesvin^
him, but he refufcd to be fparcd i and v her
curiolity had long been excited to Uniow jbme-
thing of hii hiftory, and the nuxive) of- his
extraordifury t»H^&y.(^e waftgUd (9 hwve ic
Tacisfied, and gave him the utmoA flttrntion**
" I wiD not fpeak w you-of myf^tpilyj'*
jGiid h« i " hi(toncal u;f:u(a(^.vAouM i^icsm^
iiv.er to eiclicr of u&. I am. a. DAtive <Qf the
"Weft Indies, audi wja-e^rly fcoGhifihertp be
educated.. While Iwas yet m the IJoivonSty,
I faw, I adored, aod I pm^^ed ihe, faireft
Sower that ever pvt forth its fifoet httde, fht
rafted: hear^ that ever was hr^lcer) byUluf^ci
She was poor and uaprotf^ed, cKa. daughter
-{if a villager i fl)c was T^nUttg^l ai}d ^Kiro-
tending, the child of ftmpliclEy! fi^iib^caeii
furnmers had Ihe bb^omod, and h<4r ^HW^ WM
an eafy conquetl ; yet, QQiC« (B«iie: HfKwey H
refifted all allijtefnQBt:ro,rt(ifidQUiy, <: Myiftl?
low ftudents attackt^i her j ih? w$Sr^Hiu4

L> Google

flM'W^'wkdlty tny^:>SivA $ and widi fincerity
f<:f^t»it&.'ivc,l defcrtnined m marry her in
dtja^rice of all -wbridly objeftiorts.

■'<'■' The fuddtn^ death of itiy fwher called
Me'jttftily to JaFTiaica ; I fwreA leaving this
^Miftn«i«hgoarded, yet in decency could nei-
thw tttarry nor wkc her dir^ly; I pledged
tiff faithy therefore, to wtmn to her, as Toon
as I had fettled my affairs, and 1 left to a bo-
6itwfHend the infpeGbvin of her cooduA in
my, rfbfrnec.'

'* To Krave h«fr was madnefs,— to nruft in
•nan was tnadnefs,— O, hateful race !' how
ban ^e WOTid been abhorrent to me fince rhaS
c-imel> I have toathed the light of the fun, I
h«4»e^mflk from the connmerce of my feHow-
«l>HftOrt6; the vOTce of man I have detefled^
iM«%he I have afbominatefl!— b«t oh, raofC
dhan^iittithtHild I be abominated Tnyfctf ! '
• -^Wherilcame tomy fortune, incOKicaieel
(^Hdi'foddtn power, I forgot this fair btoflbm,
I'^wlted in licsntioufnefs and vice, and left
'it>«ipt>fi?d(and forlorn. Riot fucceedci rtofr,
•ilt'i ftver, incoFred' by my own intempe^
r«neB, fl»ft gave me time co think. Then
1ir48 (hatwenged, for then firft remorfe waa
«rf pcttido : hcP image was brought back to
ftiy'^ind'^ltb fraAtic fondncfs, ajid bittereH
cblittition. Theuwmcnt I recovered, 1 r«-
tofWdf'to'EngUndi -I ft<<* to claim hcr^ —
but 4lK wBS^iia 1 ; HO oM^ktitw- w4ikh«r fbe
-iltjf-iJi waa

L> Google

'Was gOiJCf the vwtch,l,hff^«'*fted pfc^idfl*

had'conceslcd her^iioiftil^Jt.^^^- v, .--.n"- --.-

** "When ftjc /gw inc^,ifl3.C-fcre»flTc4antt
woulci.have flo.wn j I jftopt )icr, ai^jleW.tWf
Icame faiEhfuHyantl botwyrabljr topiakeflCf
my wifct— her own faithanij honopc^.^uwigh
fullied, were Dot ex,tiBguilifecB.»iprIhoi^:?ijt^y
acknowledged the fatal tale. ftf hw undoidg;!
" Did I rccompepfc this icjgeniuoufiiej?.?
this uQf xamplcd, this beautiful facrjiketo.ipT.
tuKive integrity! Yes, with my cuifcs!— rl
loaded her with execrations, I.;evf)jftj her ia-
language ,thc.moftopprpbrjous,,liiiiiOi;epfaeT
even for her confeflipn I J ^ayok,cd„ aJLfirii
%)pQii her frpni thpjjottom of:myj^ea«ir-^,$iie
knelt at my feet, flie implored my.fQr^}ita^&
sit'd companion, flie wept wi^|;i tbe'bi[^e;r[lf&.'
of dcfpair, — and yet I fpinnpd her frQfp,mc!
>— Spurned ? — let me, not. hide mjsjl^ftrtje-! ,i
Jbarbarouffy ftruck hci\-r-x^ot:.^^^.,yj^
the blow !— it was doubleil,^it V^S, rf ifiPWteflJ:-
,— Oh wretch, unyielding ^ntJ.MPp^^yinglT—
where fijall hereafter be, cUm,en,cy for jnj^q^,),

L> Google

^" jc- \- 1 J-. 1 A. 237

iiBft'iftidiril. ■ Repemlrigm;^
id 'h'M^.igiftit nic fien:ein3

of her forrow mcltCa rtic U '■
I ■rt'tAftitd/ therefore, to fi^J

drS'rtrdltilhe ftid bcrfdf frbm aiT my enquiries"
I'Wsfrtd^rM in fearch of her two long years to
lity ptrVpoft; regardiefs of my affairs, and of

al^'thiHss S^t that purftiit At length, I

Atid^^iir I faw her — in London, alone,' and
^tilt^g'Ththe iVrects at inidnight.-7— I fcar-
ftiT^r''fbll'a'wir'd h'er, — and followed her riito
anftjWij|i:orihfamy!
*- "^ 'Shfe'wrctches fay whom flie w
M'fm noffi'and drihki'rt^, thei
IWtfe^tai'fWefa* ^fidkneAYne
fflrti'mdibbt I^jeak^ 'nbr-did I —
rfiSftft'Ati-fJie fiinted, and ft-lK'
i'*|;"y*it-didrrtot help her -the people took,
tnelrbwfim'eal'ilr'es' to recover her, and when'
ftp'WSi Hgiift'ablc to ftand', would have re-!
mtt'^Hhtt-tOartother apartment. . . , _l

r^'^^'the'rV Went forward, and forcing thern.
ai^wdirn her with all the ftrength of defpe-.
>thc tinhappy finner, who
med t ' hat became"

Krom of vice and,

rt-foie iM look,ftill_^

t^iiti ', therefore,':

mi \,'( aii^o%.

:-'Sh< F.fheciiiia'

-■ — fcarce

L> Google

fpapcaiottrr.-but neither coal«med ncff t«4rf^

c4i peicher Ihed a tear, -aoriptdaed^Afd, and
Iwr COM H»«iir« prcTesteda^piflKine-of ofi^tie,
amaz(.iiient]'<aiid luBFiHV; - '• i:i-''j^,

" i took facF to a houre ia'thflcmlntipf,
each of ufi filent the whole way. t gaffe Ikt
an apartment, and a female otten^i^t, and
ordered for her every confenienc* I «a»ld
fuggeft. t ftaid myfclf in the fame ho«fr>
hut diftrafbed with remorfe for the ft»)ra«Hl
ruin into which I had. cccriBedhei^ I oouM
not baar her fight. ' .. ■

" In a few days her maid dlbredmcthe
life fhe led muft deftroy her; that fiirwoald
tafte nothing but bcead And water^ ' never
fpokc, and never flept^ ' . . 1 ■

" Akrraed by this acot^iuiti' I flewinicoiber
aparFti^TKnti prideandFelentmenEgwrevtayito
pity and fondnefs, and 1 btfought her toGake
coiiiRtc. 1 fpokc, however, to a ftaiue.ihe
replied not, nor fcfmed tb hear mc: >:I then
Jiumbled niyfelf to her as in the days of her
innocence and tirO; power) .fuppltooting Jier
noticf, entreating even her commiferQiion I
all was to no purpofe ; .&ie neither received
nor repulfed me, and was alike inaitenlivc to
exhortation and to .prayer.

"Whole hours did Il\«nd at her feet, vowl-
ing never to arife tilMhc fpoke fo me,-r*all,
allf in vain ! ihe ftfmed deaf, nnare, infenfi- •
bJc; htrfiKc unmoved, a fettled dofpair fixed

L> Google

\t- n \i I lu I' A. 239

At^c but irith-iiose-iike &]£tac{i attd compH-
»ncc4)-wShe-)ii«ritcBift!sulyiin onethaip, ,fh^
Otfwffft^'^ngfid: her dreffi, no pffriinlft»M-t»>u)d
prewail wirii~!faEr to lie ^own, and at meals Hit
jipAnimailomaii&hmatth. drf forbad as rnight
a&e^iutr. Sfom dymg^for wane of ^food.
' \S* WiuC"WM tlie diftradion of my foul, to
■ftttdfiet-bantiUpoocbis-coBrrc toher ladhotir!'
,-t*»<|uickrcaraeithat hour, but never will it be
iixgoncn ! rapidly it was gontr, but CKrnatly
SfiiWill- be remcmbcned 1

«' When fhe felt herfclf expiring, flie ac-
kaovricdged flie; bad madr a vow, upon en-
tciiing the ^«wife, to live.fpeccbkrs and mo-
tjontefs, as. « penence for ber oBvnces !

" I kept her loved corpfe tiU my own fenfcs
■fttlcdtnci— ilt was then only torn from me, —
imtA I- bave loftiali recoH:r<3:ion of three years
«f' my cxiftenco !"
■ CccEiilhuddercd at this hint, yet was not
itirprifcd'ty it i Mr. Gofport had acquainted
her te/had been;formeHj< ccMifined -, and his
Bightioofs, wildncfs; jflarid language, and ex-

L> Google

which 1 would take re&, ttR f had icfttt, or
smloufl^ attempted to do, feme fertrke to i
fellow' creature. ''• ■''•

" For this purp<rfe hii*e I irattdered'fhun ■
city to city, from the town to the councty,
and from the rich to the poor. I go into eve*y
houfe where I can gain admittsnee, I admo-
uifli all who will hear me.I fbamc eventhofe
who will not. 1 fcek the Drftreffad whcwe-
ever they are hid, I follow the ProrperouM to
beg a mite to ferve them. ' 1 loidi- for the
Diflipated in public, where, amidft their li-
cencioufnefs, I check them { I purfoe the
Unhappy in private, where I counfet and en-
deavour to alTifl: them. My own power is
fmall ; my relations, during my fuflTerings,
limiting me to an annuity ; but there is no
Qne I fcruple to folicit, and by teal I fupply
ability.

" O, life of hardlhip and pienance 1 labo-
rious, toilfome, and reftlefs ! but I have me-
rited no better, and I will not repine at it ; 1
have vowed that 1 will endare it, and i will
not be forfworn.

'* One indulgence alone from time to tinme
I allow myftlf, — 'tis mufic ! which has pow- .
cr to delight me even to rapture ! it quiets all
anxiety, it carries me out of myfelf, 1 forget
through it every calamity, ewn the bittereft
anguifh.

" Nnw then, that thou haft heard nte. tell

L> Google

• 'irAiis/' crifd Cecilia," this indeed is a
f^ure of iiur«ry tq makenpr lot fccm ^11 h»gf-
pinefs I"

•1 (?iArt,tlsoBthiiaopen.toconviflioTH?" cried
.iit> ■qiildly ,- " and qofl: thou not fly the voice
e^tmth! for trtuh and reproof are one."
' ** No, I wouid r3thcr icek it j I feci my-
(Mf wretched, however inadequate may be the
eaufe; I wvOi Xo be mere refigncd, and if
.j*ou atn inftru^t me how, 1 Ihall thankfully
atceed to you;"

**Oh yet uncorruptcd creature !" cried he,
■<• with joy -will I be thy monitor, — ^joy long
witaftcdl Many have I wilbed to fervej alK
Jiitherto, have rejeded my offices ; too honelt
fo ftaiKr therin, jthcy had not the fortitude to
■ liften to ma ! coo tow tQ advance thepi, they
,had «<>t tl»e virtue, to bear with me. You
alone have I yet found pure enough not to
feariflfpefttoi), and good enough to wjih to be
better. Yet words alone will not content me;
il mtift^alfo have deeds. Nor will yogr pupff,
.however. leadiiy opened, fufficej you in"ft
give to me alfo your time and your choughtsj
•iof TUOBcy fent by-others, to others only will-
atibrdrelief; to lighten your own cares, you
mutt diftributc it yourfclf."
-- ''You (ball find me," fatd (lie, *• a docile
jwpii, and nioft glad to be inftruftcd how my
exiftencc may be ufcful."

/" Haijjpy then," cried he, " was the hour
that brought iMcto this county j yet not in

V©L. IV. L . fearch

L> Google

. fearch of you did I come, butof the mutable
and ill-fated Belfield. Ktrmg, yet ingenious

• young man ! what a Icffon to the vanity of ta-

••^ents, to the gaiety, the brilliancy of wit; is
the (ight of ithat green fallen plant ! not fap-

■ lefs by age, nor withered by dileafc» but de-
ftroyed by want of pruning, and bending,
^breaking by its own luxuriance !"
" And where, Sir, is he now ?'*
" Labouring wilfully in the field, with

' thofe who labour compulfatorily j fuch 4re
■we all by nature, difcontented, perverfe, and
changeable^ though all have not courage to
appear fo, and few, like BelBcld, are worth
watching when they do. He told me h? wsta.
happy ; I knew it could not be : but lits em-
ployment was inoffenfive, and I left him with-
out reproach. In this neighbourhood J Heard
of you, and' found your name was coupled
with praife. I cameto fee if you dcfervcd it;.
1 hdve feen, and am fatisficd,"

" You are not, then, very diifficult, for I
have yet done nothing. How are we to be-
gin thefe operations you prbpofc ?, You have
awakened me by them to an expedation of
pleafure, which nothing elfe, I believe, could
juft now have given me."

•' We will work," cried he, " together,

- till not a woe Ihall remain upon your mind.:
The bltflings of the fatherlefs, the prayers
of little children, fhall heal all your wounds

L> Google

tlicy (hall cHcer, when complaining, they (hall

ioothe you. We will go to their rooflefs

^ hoyfts, and fee them repaired j we will ex-

, cTtide from their dwellings the inclemency of

.the weathen we will clothe them frorrl colJ,

, we will refcue. them froffi hunger. The cries

' of diftrefs-fiiall be changed to notes of joy:

your heart (hall be enraptured; mine, too,

ihall revive ri- Oh, whither am I wandering?

. 1 am painting an Elyfium ! and while I idly

Ipeak, fome fainting objeft dies for want of

fuccour! Farewell I will fly to the abodes

of wretchcdnels, and come to you to-morrow

to render them the abodes of happinefs."

,, . He then went away.

This fingular vifit was for Cecilia moft for-
tunately timed : it almofl: furprifed her out of
her peculiar grief, by the view which it open-
ed to her of general calan:iity ; wild, flighty,
and imaginative as were his language and his
counfelsjtheir morality was liriking.and their
benevolence was afFcfting. Taught by him
to compare her llatewith that of at leaft half
, lier fpecies, (he began more Candidly to weigh
what was left with what was withdrawn, and
found the balance in her favour. The plan he
had prefented to her of good works was con-
sonant to her charafVer and inclinations : and
the adive charity in which he propoftd to en-
gage her, re-animatedherfallen hopes, though
to far different fubjefts from thpfe which had
deprelTed them. Any fchemc of worldly
La happi-

L> Google

Iiappinefs would have fickened-and difgiiftcd
hert but her mind was ju(t inxherittw^HjiD tet
be itnpre0cd with elevated pieCyjand toado^
any dcfign in which virtue humoured mela^,-
choly. . .v-

C H A P. VI. ■

A Shock.

f^ E C I L I A pafled the reft of the day in
fanciful projefls of beneficence; flie de-
termined to wander with her ronuntic new
ally whicherfoever he would lead her, sod to
fpare neither fortune, rime, nor trouble, in
feeking and relieving the diftrefled. Not all
her attempted philofophy had calmed her mind
like this pUnj in merely refufing indulgence
40'grief, ftie had only locked it up in her
Jieart, where eternally ftruggling for vent, ftp
wasalmoll overpowered by, reft raining, it; bujt
jjow her afflidion had no longer her wh9lc
faculties to icfelf; the hope of doing gooc^
t-he pleafure of c fingpain, the intentionc^
devoting her time to,the fcrvice of fhc ufll^p-

L> Google

-"'8k«Wo«*m>tgive'MTs. Charlton theun^
Bec^ffar^paiti'df hearJng the lettt^ with whtcli
ftKlwa betn 'ib rtiuch altcaH, but fhetold
-IwplsftlitfiVffit-dif-Aibrfny, arid'ple»frd her
■with the account of their fcheme. - . ■

At night, with lefs fadnefs than ufual, fhe
retired to-ce^^.ia'-.^.Jkep ibe. bellowed
riches, and poured plenty upon theland; (he
humbled the oppreffor, ftic exalted the op-
prcfied ; flavcs were raifed to dignities, cap-
tives reftored to liberty.; :beggars faw fmiling
abundance, and wretchedneis was banifhcd
the world. From a cloud in which fhe was
JlipporcM by angels, Cecilia beheld thefcwon-
ders; and while enjoying the glorious illudon,
fte was awakeriedbyher maid, with news that
MrS'.'Charlion was dying !
"" She ftilftcd up, and, undrefTcd, was run-
ning to her aparcoienr, — ^wheh the maid>
eslIFngtd ftop her, confrlTcd ftre was already
dead!

■ '.She had made h^ exit in the mght, but the
tirtie was not exaSly known; her own maid,
Afffio Ocpt in the room *ith her, going early
to her bcdfide tb enquire how fhe did, found
ber cold and motioniefe, and could onlycon-
clilde that a paralytic ftrokc had taken her offl

! Happily and in good time had Cecilia been
■fowrewhatrectiiited-bj'ohe night of rtfrefhing
flutnbcrs and flatteting dreahis, for the (hock
i(K now rcJtfeWed promlfed her not fooa
Another.

L 3 She

She Ic^ in Mn. CbarltOD a iricnd, whom .
nearly from her infancy ihe had canfidercd
3s a mother, and by whom Ihe had been chc- ..
rithed with cepdernclsalmofl: unequalled. Sh« ',
was not a woman of bright parts, or much
cultivation, but her heart was excellent, and ,
her difpofition was amiable. Cecilia had
known her longer than her memory could
look back, though the earlielt ctrcumllances
4ie could trace were kindncfles received front
^cr. Since (he had entered into life, and
£bund the difficulty of the part Ihe had to zEk,
to tjiis worthy old lady alone had Ihe uobo-
fpmed her fceret cares. Though little affiftcdi.,,
by her counfel, flic was always certain of her,
fympathy i and while, h(;r own fwperiorjudg- .^
mcnt direihed her conduit, Ojc had phtrelic^. '.
of cqmtnynicatinig her fchemcsj, an^ w^gjiilig .,
her .perplexities, .with a fricj^ to, whprh tio- ,<
tjtine chat concerned her was indifferent, aitd
whofe greateft wi(h and chief- plcafurc,w»$_j
the f njoymcnt. of her convcrpitio^,- . a

if left to hqrfelf, if) thp,pi;efenc period, ,9^ iv
her life, Mrs. Charltpo had ccrtqioly .^joc .
been the friend .of her choitje. The delicacjf , ,
of t^er mipd, and the refinement of her jde^ j)

L> Google

CECILIA; a«7

fers i and however they majt idolize extraor-
dinarjr merit when they meet with it, they
xnuft not regard it as eOential to fricndfhip,
for'in their circumfcribed rotjtionx whatever
may be their difcontent^ they caa~ make but
little change.

Such had been the fituation to which Mrs.
.Charlton and Mrs. Harrel owed the friend-
Ihip of Cecilia. Greatly thcii-fuperior in o[>- '
derftahding and ii^telligencej had the candi-
dates for her favour been more numerous, the
rieftion had not fallen upon either of them.
But fhe became known to both befor'c difcrt-
mination made her difficult, and wh.eii her en-
lightened mind difcerncd their deficiencies,
they had already an intereft in their affeftiQns^
whfch made her fee thfm wj^h lenity : and
thdugh Ibmetimes, perhaps, coofcious fhe
fcould not have chofen theni" from miny, fhc
•dbercd-to ihctVi with fincerity, and would -
htvt changed' t^em fOT none.
' Mrs. Harrel, however, too weak for fimitr*
fen'timents, forgot her whfen out of figlit^aiKJ ^
by the tittle tl^ey met again, Vas infenfibletw '^
erifry thing but ftieWanddiiTipatibn. Cfciliai '
fliocked and fui'prifcd, firtl grieved from djf-
apfftMi^itcd affeaion, and theri loft thar'affijo- '
tiort- in artery contempt.! Hut her ■fondhefs; '
for MHlXllartttta hati ni^tr ' fara^n abatt- ■ ;
mfric" £s"Hii kiBdiicf^^MWid -culiiTeA'W']
ttM'iieifCT knbwn'allay. 'Sfte'M lfaV*d I^if"'
fcrftlteairfuHitffi'g^arinfdCi- bijt'tMf'lo^ti.'''
L. 4t flceoethf

L> Google

ftrcngthcned ^d, confimi!^ ttjiltw^fttr^tij-
'tercf urf(5, w^ i)ow as,iiQC£fe and,3fiw;iiQt^MP
;asi|Jthadoneinace^fr^m^
iniratian. ■ Her lols, therefoic, was &l.t[^yp
tli^ mmoft fev.cfity, and; p^i(he^c leelgg inor
•-knowing An^ meatus 'of jft^X^ins^ij fh^fifm--
'lidercd it as irreparable, and moucpedjtiniw
■birterncls. : ". -.iV f/iiJ

- ■ ^htn the firff furprilf of tI^'i^<;r)iBl^^qK
'\vas fomewhatlcflened, (lie feot aae^p^f^ t*
MrMonckton with the news, and'Cr^tre^ft^
to fee him. immediately. He„(^me vich6uf<
delay, and fhc begged his counfeL wh^c fk.^^
ihc ought lirrl'eif 'to take in cptuecjucpiC* c>f
this event. Her own houfc was ftill unpt^:
pared for herj ftie had pf laCe-.Bcsle£fecd j^
hapcn the workmei), and ^lmo|l fofgoctepfier
inr^ntio- -'^■--'—■—~ -- ■>- — — -—-"'gti^
howevei :^|

ihe was fajfU

ton,'bui \/ari

iffes, c P9IV

neither -.[^

Mr. I flt'j^

artiani f^jft^

tncnt of its projedtioiii mentioned a fcheme,
iipon which during his whole ride he had
been ruminating j which was that (he would
inllantly remove to his houfe> and remain
there till fettled to her fatisfaftion.

Cecilia objefted her little right of furprifing.
LadyMargarcii but, without waiting H^ diu.

L> Google

C E C I L- I A. U9

cnft^-itJ-.-lettn^w objeflioils fhoiild arife, he
^irtetl Rer; -to fetth hitnfclf from her lady-
0iip'^il'iavf['atioti h£ mea^t to iafift upon Her
"'firmlmg.'''-'

""■■OiSlii, though heartily difliking (his plan,
"ifhew riorat firefent *hat better to adopt, and
thbught'any thing preferable to going again
to Mrs. Harrel], fince that only could be done
"by' feeding the anxiety of Mr. Arnott.
' Mr, Moncktbn foon returned with a mef-;
ia'ge of his own fabrication; for his lady^
ihbugh obligedto receive whom he jjleafcd,
look car'e co guard inviolate the independence
of fpeech,.ful]enly perfevering.in rcfufing to
lay any thing, orpcrverfely faying only what

lie leaff wiJhed to '

- Cecilia then ro
Charltons, who,
had Joft, and eage
earned, parted fri
hfcavy heart and >
tlKf^kft time the
old friend, aruf'
^*ble- houfc,- ft
Grotre.-"'-' - , „ .

L5 CHAP.

Sjpcr W.> tU' \^ L l^ i:-A4

i- ■■■>-.. . /■,, ■■ . -.i-.'., ii-.i:!-'] ■

T At>-T Margaret' Mbnelrt^n' rtfeiiWffl

■^ CecUia with tKe miift gtedm/^rtddhefs'i^'
(he itpolbgized for the'libe^^ fll^hila iateW,-
in making life bf Kerladyfliip's hotifti'-Wrt]!^
meeting no feturrt bf civmty, ihe 'witfidi<cw
to the room which h^db^ {jrepariSi 'fiSf-
tier, and refolved as much as pofiible Ibkie^f/i
«bt of hef'fight.i "■- ■ ■ ';''\ ■■'-:■'*■' -;:■'
■ It now became ;)eceffiiry'wtfl6ut'?WffIrt?f''
dfehy to fccric her p>art ofllfij- feidfi^lhe^^
pkct.ofrcfidence. The rotbitiffing'teakSbf
lady Margaret made*ier Hafteri'Hef rifil^eif,*!
whiWt other*iTe wouldfor a iWHllii hi'ffc-giWii^^
W3y to grief for ~h^r recttft WrfaftM-iftihe."' ■'■'■"

She fent for thb'furveybr Wfid'hilJ tH'e fe^
perintendancc of her rfftatiSs, ■ (e^ tfnquiVelio*^
foon her own hodfc w6uW"bc-fie fcr hcrfe-J-
ception; and heaid thei'e was yeE> 'woHl fbl"
near two months. ""■' *.

This anfwer made her \'ery tincomfbrtable;*
To continue two months otidcr the'W)bf with'"'
"Lady Margaret was a penarfce ihe coVild not'*
enjoin herfelf, nor was (Ife at^'all Tetft LaUy*
Margaret would fubmit to iTatty "better: "ffie

L> Google

■C: K 6, t. £.» i ■ A^ -atjr

tkcCittnJcious'burthen of b«ng.a[l unwelcomr
VifitOTi by boarding with fomc creditable fa-
mily ac E^r^ and devoting th^.cwo months'
in whicht ifhe was to be Wpt from her'houfc,
to a- gcAeiMal ai'rangrmtiK of ket alFairs, uid
ll'fina} ielrtltng-'vtith h«r gu^i^iftnsf
' For thefe parpefes it would be neceflary (fie
ftbtthl-gD to-^London r but .with i»ho(n> or iA>-
Whattnanno-jlhc could not decide. Shede*'

■ 'ft<i, ihcfcfdre,. aneehcr conference with Mr- ^
Moocktpn^ who met h<et: in the parlour.

- ^e ihen ■ communi()aced- to him. h^r
&K<rKi(e9i zn^ beggsd htfTcounfeli in her pco-
j;^lexities-
' 'tie was dcnghted at the ai^Mcatio»>., aod^.

■ t^fj^eticly w«U pteafed vitA heK' defign o€"
bo^rqiiig at Bory^ well knowing he could
t^B watch and vifit her at his pleafure, and
Mve far morc-comfort in her foetety than .
«ven in his own'houfe,where aM the wgiljticc
•with *hich. be obfcrved her wasihort of tha^
TBth which'hc was himfelf obferved byLady
Itj^rgaret. He endeavoured,, howvrei:, to diP .
fiiade her from going to. town, buthcreagec-
^:ls to pay the large fum (he owed him, was^,
aow t»6 great to be conquered. Of agej, her-
fsrtune whfifly in her power, .and all a£tend>>

^ance upon Mrs. Charlcon- at- an cnd>, lb*

^iiad no longer any excufc for having-a dcbtt

in the worU,, and would fuffcrno perfriaiioiii

t4),Tnake her begin her careci:'in.life^ withi *

iKgligrnce in fettUng-her lecounte^bieh fj^t:

■ Xi fr ■ " badl

had to often ctrifu^ed in' oifrirsi' -"T^giPiro
;Xondoft, therefore;, I?ic WaS'fixfedi'Whd'jlttt&^
;.Ihe defircd was his 'aUvI<;i''coiittff|ii,^g-Ac
" jqurney- ' ', ' '"' ■'■■'■'■■''-> ^-i.r.j-r.tnilt.-
'_ ',. He then told Her,' that Sti w^i^^'ftnle
, with her guardians, flie mud wriie tbJlihjfeni
*'.in form, to demand an account of (Be'Jfiftns
^ ihat had. been expended duringt'h^ ftiih(*ity,

and e her intention for theTuturtS to

' tak lagement of her fortune inJ»-4ier

ow, " '.■'■.■■"

'" 't dijttcly followed' hi*; direa!*e»is.

• «n{3 A to remain at' the Grovfritilt

L> Google

:.»!■»

■lW9jiffi<^-hcirt(f(;s»/f3f9k,Pj!;ecu[rixe«."She
: jixu u^^pd irgm chem abduiig confider^blc,
.- .-,•"■ ■••thbugli

n Google

snd ftveral of her friends were renfiCBribwe^;
by fmall legatiesr - Atiwng th«m,(>ciiia-^4ql
her picture, and favourite trinkets, with-AlfaT!,^
ragraph m her witl, ttat a^ theK^-wai-RO-^fl*,^
Hk {o much loved, had her fortune been- k^i ,
^lendid, flic ihould have fWed- with 4>efe-i
gcand-d'aughcers whatever Ihc-had ta beftcnrv

Cecilia was much a#bAed by fhts )aft«rMl -^
Tolemn remembranee. She more thaw «*flfr - -
coveted to be alonrj that ihe mighcgrievit'
tofldifturbedjandflaetimented without ctitfln^/.
the fatigue and the iilRefawhichi » ^ i^^c a.-
period* as it proved, of her life, ihe had het^-j
felf been the means of occaOpnirig to her.

Me. Monckton had too nnu(;h prudence tth':
interrupt this detire of fblitude, which iode^^ i
<<oft him tittle pain> 3S he conlldered her leaft
in danger when alone. She rcceiycd iii about ■
a week anfwers ftom^ both heF guardian^.. '
Mr. Delvile's letter was elofely to the pur-
pofe, without a word but of bu(inelE»i aptb
couched in the haughtiel^ terms. A& hehad'
never, he,faid,.aAed, he had,noaccoi?nesiO'
fend in j but as he was going to town in a fev(t -
days, he would fee her for a moment io^thc,-
prefenoc of Mr. Briggs^ that a joiat reJfe^-
might be figned, to prevent aay future ap-.
plication to him. , .■ ■■ ■-

Cecilia much lamented there-was- any^ue-i'.
telTitjr for her fteing hi(n.at:idia; afld^JwAe^,;'
• - Kuward

L> Google

CECILIA. art

ferASrat^ dkj iBtiWIrw is die greateft Tiwra
tifiCitidfi %c ceuld foffcr.
- ^MV.'=BHg^ iSiODgh'ftitl more conctfe> was
fav^hderiD his language: but'fie advifed
bAf'to^deftrKerfchcTnc of caldng the mone^
irrtJa^ber bwh handsy afiiiring her fhe would
btf vlieated, and had better leave it to him. ' -

WWfli ftc communicated theft epilHes tt»
KtK'MoncktorT, he failed nM to read, with an
enFltitt^ns, by which his arroganc meaning wai
flHl-moreafWgantif enforced, thfr tetter of
lK&.''DelVf)6 almid. Nor was lie rparir^ JH
c^mnnents <ih^ lAight render it yet more al^
ferfflve. Cecilia neither concurred in what
> be gdd; nor op^fc^ h, but contented her?
ftWi "■rtiefn he was fiJent, \»ith piodqiypg tlie
o^r tetter.

'M*. MoftCkiroB read not this with mort
favdiltt He fipehty atcacke* the charafter of
Br^gs, as -covf tous, rapaeious; and ovevi
rcacrang, ami warned her by no means M
abide by hig couttfel, without firfttaking t^Je
ofSTt)onoffemcdt(hiteteft*dperfon. He then
ftaeed^he various ai-ts which might be prac-
tifeddpbnher lne»pmenee, eniihierated th<
dangert t*^which Her ignoraneeof bufm^ft
■€SpoftdiWr,and'aBnotat«d laport the cheats,
dotibie'deJiingSi and -tricks bf ftocfc jobfamg-,
to- which he alTured her Mr. Briscs owed a44

L> Google

*;6 t;.' t£ i; I L. J a:

awt-'CitnidHy re g re tte d th«-flie oodfei not
hive hiscaunfel upon the fpot. ■ ■■■•'. ,

; This was tuswim : .to^mitr tiir with friKil
Her, dfcw sH fusion sffl^lfifliivkiMflvin
faim&Jf : -and he told hn-ttin he cettTidftvd
^cr pre^nt fituation as-fo critical, the future
CQflfufion or i-fgulariiy' 6f her money tran^
^ions fermiag to deprni^ upon- it, that he
would enckawour to arraDge his afiairs fyt .
meeting her in Londoa.
■; CeciliagavchtmiBimyithanfcsFof the kind
intention>atid,dctennined.tob« totally guided
by htm in the difpofal- and dirddion of her
fortune.

■ Mean time he had, now another part to »
a&i h&faw that withCecilia nothing more re<-
maincd to be done, and that, harbouring no«
a doubcofhis nftottves, (he thought his de- .
fign in- her favour did bcr nothing but hi>-
Dour; bue be had too much luiowledge of
the world to believe it wcHiid judge him ia
the fame manner, and too much confriottf^-'
^efs of duplicity tofet its judgmeinC 'at 'de-
fiance. To parry, therefore, the conje3m=^i'^
which might follow his utceodingihtr, he tAcl^
fkjready prepared Lady Mar^ret>to^V^liflt''ileiu--
i«l^of theparJ^y: fbr bowevcr4^3gWe«b4e't(^'
bim was h^r prefence and . her comaany^ he-'
had no other means MO b^Mttdet-^ iS&HWi
roof with Cecilia, . .tiom.;. vr-i

, Mifs BeflAet, tire vivtchfldieotsliff hjb^v4-
^i4S ikrhemei, and the mmi'iycopftiaMieif Hitf*-

L> Google

Kit- Hi *-: li 1- I A, 9J7

Ir^, I )Md^ b«en einplDfed by bim to -wMfc

upon hcrjcalouiy, by fecrctlymSbrming- beii
mi^ ^ttttmtbnttff :go: to town> aE.th«/Jame
^|gnr tJtMH CtftHta want Either to innt ht»
^^t^Wi. ^Sfie-preeended to have leariicd
tji^s-AMeiligeDce by accidenr, and to commu-*
aiGV-e,iG4h>m reTpedfnl regard; and advitcd'
lyr to go to London herfclf ac the fame time^
l^U (iiisiTtigtic jee into his dcfigns, and bo
fijtne check upon his pleaiiire. ■ .^- ,

i The encreafiog inrfrnnaatics of Lady Mar-
giirct Hiade-this counlH by no means palau'
a^ ;. but MiG Bcmet, following the artfiil>
inftruf^ions which fhe received, put in hen
'^r^jiy-^'flroi^.adiistive, liy afluring her.bbw.
)U{je her connpany vat wilhed, thac jp tho
npAdne^ of her fpice ibe determined u[H>n-thst.
jo^rtiey.- And -little heeding how (he -tor-*
minted herlcK^viiile-ihcfaad any viewo€ter<?
nilstKiae Mr.Moflckton, the was led on hyn
hfr falle^confidvit 40 invite Cecilia co~hei:>
ttJWftihQufc. .■.;,> - ■■ 'J

.^t>..MonQlcADiiiia-ivhom, byiong pradicoi^
a{Ci$Q«)was^knofi-Q«tiire, ,weil knowing>hi«\
KV&'s' pcfv4rt^e&;:a£»ded to lopk- mudv
difcon^atcd- at the prop<riiU ; while Cecilisi.
bf-na awai^..thiakiBg ic neceQ^i^ [o cxisnd
b^n p<n»^liAnc«-;[tO:fiu:b)a ^nilbmeiUj in»<
%WJ^«Hde:BnL'ai»Ologyf. and- declined chs'

L> Google

not> even for a favonrite proje^, prevaif
upon herfcif to ufe entreaty, and therefore,'
thinking her fcheme cfefuted, looked gloo-
mily'dinippoihted, and faid nothing more.
■ Mr. Moncktonfaw with delight how mucit
this difficulty inflamed her, though the mo-
ttient he could ^e^ alone with Cecilia he
made it his care to remoi^e it.

He reprcftnted to her that, however pri-
vately fhe might live, Ihe was too young to
be in l^ndon lodgings by herfelf, and gave
an hint which fhe eould not but underftand^
(hat in going or in ftaying with only feryants>
fufpicions might foon be raiftjfl, that theplaa
and moti?e of her joUrney were different ta
' thofe given out.

She knew that he mearit to insinuate -thac
k Would be conjtftured flte defigned to meet; .
Delvile, and thoagh colouring, vexC^and pro*-
Toked at the fug^eftion, the idea wasfaffl-
cient to frighten her into his plan.

In a few days, therefore, the matter, was
whfrfly arranged, Mr. Moucklfth, byhiifkill
and addrefs, leading every one whither W^ '
pleafcd, white' by the artftJl coolnels of h"fi»
jananner; he appeared but tb fcrtloW Millfdf. ■
He fet out the day before, though eM-MtUy -'
wiftiing to accompany them, but havifjg'iit*"'
yecin no fingle inftance'giJtie to i6^n^n tfeif''"^*
fartie carriage with Lady Mifgartt.lhCdfc-ba?'"?
«fuft neithtr the n^^bourHoed'floJ'ihelb^'';^

L> Google

yaots with fb daagetous a Aibjc& for their
comments.

Cecilia, compelled thus.,tq. tr«v<I witll,
only her Ladylbip and Mifs Beaoctj had *
journey tile moCt difagreeable : and dctCT''
mined} If poflible, to ftay in London but
two days. She had already fixed upon a
boufe in which flie could board at Bury
when Ihe returned, and there fhe meant
quietly to rclide till (he could enter her
own.

Lady Margaret hcrfelf, exhilarated by a
notion of having outwitted her hufband, was.
in unufual good ipirits, and almoft in good
humour. The idea of thwarting his dcfigns„
and being in the way of his entertainment,
gave to her a .deli|$ht~^-had fcldom re-
ceived from any thingt and the belief that
this was effected by the fupcriority of her
cunning,,doubIed her contentment, and raif-
ed It to exultation. She owed him, indeed,
much, provocation and uneafinefs, and was
happyiin. this opportunity of paying. her ar-
rears. ■ . ' . ^ ,

Mean while that confummate maftcr in
eveiy fpecies of hypocrify indulged her in
ihi^ notion, ty the air of diflati&faftion with
wt^ch he left tiie houfe. It was not that the
tne^t . by her prefence to obviate any im-

L> Google

«^.o i; C V 1 L. < A.

muft be confined to his.own, )]reaft: but
confcious of his avcrfion to herfrf^ which ■
ihe refented with the bittereft ill-will, and
knowing bow little, at any time, h^ dfCired
her company, fhe confoled heriVlf ifb'f her
inability to give pieafure l^lhe power flie
poffeflfid of giving pain, and boKwitR'tfrt?
fatigue of a journey difagreeable and indot't-*
venient to her, with no othcV view than the
hope of breaking into his plan of avoiding
her. Little imagining that the whole time
Hie was forwarding his favooritc purftfit, and
only a£ting the part which he had appointed
her to perforni; .' il

C HA p. VIIL

A S U R P'R I » y.^.

L> Google

V £• V I L> 1 -A. SOI

; l^p Mifs Cecilia BiyzRLEr. .

'-7' u." ' ?' .;?*9^. - ■^"■■■'

;■;,;■ ftljr^ ' , , ■ ■ .y- -,•.■';■ : .

j )^eccived jrour's of thc.fameidatrj ca/i*t
qt^ to-tOiorrow, WUl, Wedncfday the

Mifi Caali* Bcntkj.

Jn*. BkicGk'

To Mifs Beverlet^' -■■ ■ ; >'■''■
Mr, Delvilc has too many affairs of im-
portance upon tiis hands, co make any ap-
pointment tiJl h e h aa d o H fegr a te d how to ar-
range them. Mr Delvile will acquaint Mils
Beverley when it Ihatl be in his power co fee
her. ,: ■ ,.

St, Jinei*i-S(|iiue, Nor. S.

. • . . ■,^.:. ' h ■

. Thcfe characreriflic letters, which at ano-
ther time plight hav^ diyercpd, (^ciiia, novir
jn^rely' fervcd to tornient her. . She ■ wSS'
Agtarifp quit' town, ihe was more .eager, to*
ha?re fier meeting with Mr,. Dtlvile pwe^,
^tVb» 'bp'prcfnve to h.tr cv^p wh^n He .rrieanc'
t^iWltind,' (he foiVfawi tvttw Iiic,'W^s.m Wfath»n

L> Google

might remain unBnilhed by letters, fhe again
wrote to Mr. BriggSj whom ftie had not fpi-
rlts to encounter without abfolutc necelTity,
and informirtg him of Mr. Delvile's delay,
be^ed he would not trouble himfelf to 91U
till he heard from her again.
• Two days paffed without anymeflage frorii
them ; they were fpent chiefly alone/ ipd
very uncomfortably j Mt. Monckton being
content to fee little of her, while he knew fhc
-faw nothing of any third
morning, weary of ifcary
cf Lady Margaret'i ; and
ftill more weary of tical
converfation, (he d e re-
lief to the heavint.- ». — _. _, — i^o to

her bookfeUer, and look over and tfrder into
the country fuch new publications as fcemed
to promife her any pleafurc.

She fentjl therefore, for a chair, and glad
to have devifcd for herfelf any amufement,
fet out in ic immediately.

L> Google

diiv!^ from it every bpdyibiit Ddvjle, and
thofc whom Delvile brought into ic. But
lurTj^garcJ/oi; chat ^miabie girl, though funk
in the bufy fcencsx>f her calamicqus untrr-
tdintieSf^w^ pnly. funk in her tfwa bofom,
.atyiready^uponit^ir removal, to revive with
.ffcQi vicjiQu^. . She w^s now indeed more un-
\iAppy..tfiin even in the period of her forgec-
fulncis, yet her mind was no longer filled with
, the re^efs turljuknce, of- hope, which flitl
igDO^e tjiandefpoadency upBtted it for think-
ing of others, .

..Tbisjcnaembrftncc thus awakened, awaken-
ed.atro a dclirc of renewing the connection fo
long negledlcd. All Ibruples concerning Del-
vile had .now loft their foundacion^ fince the
doub.ts from which they ajofe w«e both ex-
plained and removed i (be was certain alike
Gl"hifi indifference to Henrietta, and his repa-
ration from herfelf ; ftie knew that nothing
was to be feared from painful or offenfive ri-
valry, and Ihe refoived, therefore, to lofc no
$ime in fuking the firit pleafure to which
fince her difappointment (he had voluntarily
Jooked forward.

Early in the evening, fhc told Lady Mar-
garet Ike was going out for an hour or two,
and fending again for a chair, was carried to
Portland ^Street.

L> Google

CECILIA; i.6i

mother till fuch time as riicy get hufbands :
and then I'll wairant you they can meet with-
out »ny falutation at all. That's my remark,
rit'lftaft", and what I've feen of the world has
et me upon mafeing it."
■ Tins fpcech led Cecilia to check, however
artlcfs, the tcndernefs of her fervent young
frtciid, Whorti ftie was much teazed by meet-
ing in fuch company, bur who feemed not to
dare underftand the frequent looks which Ihe
gave her exprdfive of a wifh to be alone with
her.

'* Come, ladies," continued die facetious
Mr. Hobfori, " what if we were all to fit down
and have a good difh of tea ? and fuppofe,
Mrs. Belfleld, you was to order us a frelh
round of toaft and butter? do you think the '
yoiing ladies here would have any objeftion? •
and what if we were to have a little more wa-
ter in the tea-kettle ? not forgetting a little
inore tea in the tea-pot. What I fay is this,
let us all be comfortable j that's my notion of
things."

" And a very good notion too," faid Mrs.
Belfield, " for you have nothing to vex you.
Alls ma'am, you have heard, 1 fuppofe, about
my fon? gone off! nobody knows where!
left that lord's houfe where he might have liv-
ed like a king, and gone out into the wide
•world nobody knows for what !'*

" Indeed ?■' faid Cecilia, who, from fee-
ing him in London, coflcludtd he was again
M a with

pcifottof tufiocfa; hcatliffpys dcfpifird it from
a child, and come of it what may, 1 am furc
^?6!w«&orn, to-be a gentleman."
.■^^*,A! CO hi» defpifing bufinefs»" faid Mr.
Hobfoni very concern ptiiouOy, " why fo much
lb« -w.orfe, for bufinefs is no fuch defpifcable
ffting. And if he had been brought up be*
iiind a counteri inftead of dangling after ihefe
feme Lords, why he might have had a houfc
of his own over his head, and been as good a
(nan as myfclf."

■ " A houfe over his head ?" faid Mrs. BeF-
field, "why he might have had what he would,
and have done what he woold, if he had but
followed my advice, and put himfelf a.litilc
forward. J have told bim a hundred times to
■tk fome of thofe great peoplehelivedamongft
for aplace at court, for i know they've fd
many they hardly know what to do with
them, and it was always my dcfign from the
beginning that he Ihoiild be fomcthing of a
great man -, but I never could perfuade him^
though, for any thing 1 know, as I have oftea
told him, if he had but had a little courage
he might have been an Ambafiador by this
time. And i^ow, all of a fudden, to be gone
fiobody knows where!" —
,. '" 1 am forty, indeed," faid Cecilia, who
knew not whether moft to pity or wonder ae

L> Google

»' As to beili
faid Mr. Hobfoi
charafter. Tho
tilings of that \i
tions and coufins
bcft way is to tal-
thofc great peopl
tliey like your c<
brought up to b
made his fortun<
on. Why now (h
turning toCecili
.without paying
was that being m
hind a counter, :

" Do you thin
BelBeld warmly,
thing as (landing
if my ion had cv<
any lady would (i
yet, though I fa
■while, and not ft
look where (he
fuch a winning r
I believe in my
the land could 1
has fuch a prodi,
make him own
quedion. And

*' Why no,"
■would be out of
my notion i& this.

Google

itiwl.tbei] he 171^ aflc-what lady he pleaTM—
And when Ke'js a jnind of a lady, he fliould
i^k Mpon a frown pr .two a& nothing ; for the
Ifidif s^iEOwn in courtfhip as a thing cu courfe^
;ic's juft 1 ike a mao^ fwearing at a coachman^
vhy he's not a bit more in a pafTion, only he
thinks he ftia'n'c be minded without it."

** Well, for my part," faid Mrs. Bclfield,
•* I am fure if I was a young lady, and molt
cfpccia^y if I was-a younglady of forcunc,and
all that, I Ibould lille a modeft young gciulc-
,man, fucH as my fon, for example, bettcs- by-
half than a bold fwearing young fellow, that *
would make a point to have me whether t
would or no "

. ** Ha ! ha ! ha !" cried Mr. Hobfon ; " but
.the young Udiesare not of that way of chink-
ing i they are all for a little life and fpirit*
.Dwi't I fiey right, young ladies E"

-Cecilia, who could not but percave ihif-
.thefefpe^cbes were levelled at hcrfelf, felcof-
/ended and tired; and finding Ihc had nft
chance of anyprivarCiConverfariun with HeOf
rietta, arofe to-takeleav*: but while /he ftop-
.ped her in the parage to enquire ^hen Ihe
(jould ff^fyher .^lyne, a ff^Qtm^n knocked at the
,4(Ku> whQ,> hayjng., atk^d if Mr. BelBcl^
'^lodged ^herC} and been answered in the affic-
tnatiyCxibegged to^qw. whether MiB Bever»
stey. was^fc.iWthfiJioore-?
Fo*^e9*\f*i oiiff^^^i^d^^pnt forward, and

^■- M 4 ■ "I have

« 1 haw bprti, 'Wadam,'^''"fiBK<r-i "^^ich
a wicfTagfe to''yOa at Mr. 'Mdh^lfto^; "fn
Soho-Squart :"'bi*t'nobbdy'kWc* Wfftrfc'Yt^a
wasi and' Mr. MtocktoW^ tSnte'oW^iHH
fpoke to me himfclf, arid fald tH^tallTiet^Rl
fuppofe \*as that you might b4 at tHisf^fe--
6o-hcdirefled me to Cdfne here." -"'f

*' And from whom. Sir, is 'your mint-'
fage ?" ' = >

" From the honourabie-Mr. Delvilei rh^
dam, in St. James's-Squarc. He dcffrcs'tSi
know if yod (hall be at home on Saturday-
morning, the day after to-morrow, and wbe^
ther you can appoint Mr. Briggs to meet him
by twelve o'clock exactly, as lie flia'n'c be
able to Qay above three minutes."

Cecilia gave an anfwer as cold'&Jithe riltffr
fage i that fhe would be ia Soho-'Sc|uareiitthS
time he mentioned, and acquaincMr; BHgg)
of his intention. .'--■.

The footman then went away, and-HenJ
rieita told her, that if fhe could cafl 'fdme
' morning fhe might perhaps cohtriTe to be
alone with her, and added, *^ indeed I wifli
much to fee you,' if yoo -could poffibiy do itic
fo great an honour} forlam very miferabttfy
and have nobody to nit foi Ah, Miff Beu<
verlcy ! you thai have fo many friends, and'
that deferve as manyagain, you little knoiT'
what a hard thing i?is to havenohe f^bud
tny brother's ftrange idifa^^peiring has half '

L> Google

, Cecilia was begtaiiJn'gfl coofolatory fpcech>
,in which (he meanc'to give her-priKate affiir-
. mnce&of his health and fafety, when fbe'was
•interfuptcd by Mr. Albiny, «h6 came fud-
•denlyinto th?paflage. • , .

' Henrietta received him witK- a- look' 6f
pleafure, and enquired why he had fo long
-been abfenti but, furprifed by the fight of
Cecilia, he exclaimed, without anfwering
her,- '* why didft thou fail me ? why appoint
me to a. place thou wert quitting thyfelf ?— .
chou thing of fair profefiions i . thou inveigler
of efteem! thou vain, delufiwe promifer of
pleafofs !"

■ -" You condemn me too haftily,"- faid
Cecilia j " if I failed in my promife, it was-
not owingto caprice or infinceriiy, but to a
real andbitcerEntsfbctune which incapacitated
me from keeping it.^ I ftiail foon, how-
ever, — nay, J am already at your difpofal, if
jEOU have any commands for me."

** 1 have alway-s," anfwered he, " com-
mands for the rich, for 1 have always com-'
paflioo for the poor,"

- " Come Dome, then, at Mr. Monckton'a-
in Soho'Square^" cried (he, and hsAened into

L> Google

Ic hjKl not bceo Wiout'dtffioiilty ifiat'As
had leftrawd h«rfeHF.ffom taentioningrwiihaC
file knew. of.BclBeld, wbcB fte fannd^m
mothej: ud SiRtt in; a date «f faofa {unn-i
ful uncertainty concerning hiw). BAcher
titter i^oraiideof his p]s9«. -jouK(i'to<iief
undauttted rknOwicdge of -ihts Ttifli of cdim
cealmcntj made her fear doing mifchicf bif
officlovdicis, and think, it ViCer not to -be*
tray whac nie had feem of him, till better
informed of his own .views and iotentionsj
Yet, willing co Ihorten a fufpence fo un-t
tafy to thenAi Ihe detecmiaed ui entreat
Mr. Monckton would endeavour to find
kita out, and ac9uaint him with their 'an-
xiety. . , ■ '

Thac gentleman, when> (he returned «a
his houfoi was in a flate of mind byna
means enviable. MifGng her at^mif > ha iiad
alkpd Mifs Bcnnct wherc^ihe was, anrihcait-
ing fhe had not left word^ he could fcarco
conceal his chagrin. Knowings however}
bow fow werts her 3aquaincandr& i in cawny
he foon concluded fhe wHS'wkh Mifa Bel^
field; but, not IftiisfiedwiihfcndijigMr.Del-
vile's rneflengcr after her, hc>pr>Tate!y cmii
ployed one in whon^bc truiicdfor bimtel^ .to
make enquiries at the honsfc, without iiying
"whence he came. , . ■ i ■• :j

But though this man was returned,, and
he knew hex fafety, he ilUl Arltiatarmcd:;
he had flattered himfclf, from the Xcngch of

L> Google

.ti<A0 la'{ft<hich >1}M'4^-''niitwri^e notliing
tvilboiic icwifulting;^ hiftir 'fti^'wfe^ld icarce
jerica-ithink^bf !«tt|'a£U6iii'''ftJ(th6iit' hii prC-
vicoif doncwiiemle.- 'And he had tkip^> by
«.<liak h>i)ger vCs, 'to iHak^ Mif counfcl
befcome nec^fliwy, .vhkh he knew t6 be
*r-Terjr. ffioK ftep frwn rendering it abfo-

, ul^pr was he yrcW plcafed to perceive, by
tills y^l^^A^' '^^'VrlioiT, a ftroffgte to ca^
off* her fadnefs, and a wifh to procure her-
ielf enteriatntnent : it was not tha:t he de-
iHnid her mifft-y, but he was earneft chat all
telie/irom it ihould Ipring from himfelf:
.and ibough far from difpkafed that Detvile
ihouid loife his fovereigtity over her thoughts,
lie .was yet of opinion that, ti)l. his own
liberty was rel^ored, he had lefs to ap'pre-
bend from grief, indulged, than gfief ^tk/-
ed ; one could but lead her to repining' retire*
ment, the other might guide her tp a confo'
'Jatory'tivaL .

, He well knew, however, it was as eflen-
ttal'to his'Caufe to difguife his difappoirit--
juents as his expeftations, and, certain that
"by plcadng alone he had "any Chance of ac-
iquitling. power»- he cleared up when Cecilia
'^urtKd, wh» as uHConfcio'us of feeling, as
of owing any fubjeftion to him, prtfervcd
ttncontFoUcd the nghtpf .a^ing for himfelf, -
Jiowever deficous and'glad of «;CaTional in>
ftruCtioD, ^ . ., '

MS ■ " -She

liy-tt»c rellwrati(jrfof abrotf*r4b'fftuChlo*f*
aadTpTcgrettedi* '■■ ■ ■ j. -J ■■■" ''\ . ' ' i
-*,-_ Shefeat, mfiad time^' to Mr. Brigs^s thdf
fneJTgge" fhe had received fVom Mr. Delvfit^
and -had the fatisfaftioA of an anfwer tha^tM&
-would obfervc the appointment. ?: ■'>

}'.'^: , 'c H A R ■ .ix.:;,- :,,,,:,,

. . \ ' ■-. . li. -1 . .>

^ A CONF ABB t AXI-OJ*.-, .3.: ^ jj

•Y* H'fe liext. morning,' while the 'fan^ily*
' .'■ -^ere at breakfaJV, Bdficld, -acif(iTdin^"«/
feis prbmife; made his vifit^ \| . ""

~''A high colo'ur overfprtad-his" face as he
Attred the room,, reftrftrng^-fmm* a (enCiii
tioB of grief at his fallen fortune, and (hzmc
a'rllis akeied appearance, which thougli TiiS
endeavoured to cover under'an air of gaJctV
and unconcern, gave an awkwardncfs to* his*
itianneri, and a vifltflcdiftrefs to his coun-^
tenance : Mr. Monckton received him with*
pleafitre; and-CecHia, who faw the cbnfliift
bf his philofophy with his pride, drcflecj
tier features once more in Tmilcs, Which,
howeven faint a^d heartlefs, Ihewed her

L> Google

though {he was not now mtiFe thaS' eaan«a~i
RKwly ungradiouA,> ftruck the quickrioElini^^T
a^ irriuble Belgtfid, to w«ar.aoair of mdi^^
4^«riority AteanL to xeproach him with bl«-T
difgracc. ,j..,< ,. . i'.V.".'/

This notion, which Urongly affciSed hnn^''
made himj for one in(lanc> hefitate whethex^
he fhould rem'airi another' m the Tams room -
with her: bgt|he fri^ndliners of Mr. Monc|p— -
tonj and the gentlenefs and good-brecding-ofl-
Cecilia, feemed fo ftudious tor make amends
for her nTortfftneft,'that'heckedced his ,too
j;e«ldyindiignation, and ,tPok his. feat «-tU«
^le. Xct.was it fonfietime before he couW
recover even the affumcd vi&;ae;ity'whKh.thi^ .
fufpcftcd- infult had robbed -him' of, iiift
ficienfly to, eater.iDto cpnyerfa-iQa with ^v
appearance of. cafe or pleafure. But, af-.
ter^ while, foothed by the attentions of Ce« .
cilia and Mr. Monckton, hia UDcalinefs wore
offi^nd the, native fpirit.andUvelinefsof his
chwftfter broke forth with their, acaiftonaed •
energy. : i

" This good compaay,. I hope," faid he,
addrcffing himfelf, however, only to Ceoi-
,lia, ^' wiU not fo mush .mi^ake the thing
as to cricicife.ipy diffs x)f this motnings
^DCe it is perfc^ly acoording. to rule, and
to rule .eitablilUedrromitiine immdnorial :
but left any of you Ihould ib mucherr.as to
iancy Ibabby what is only c^iaiiacbttiilUc, I

L; Google

snaUcs of coi^fSmres -and iba«K< ttie' hopouf

toi . JB^si^m . 7<9U, diu I am ^nlift^. in th«

Gmnb-SireeCF^tOientft ^of the fihiFdAory) ^h4

ivider chc tattered banner of fcribbling V(}t

llinteers^ a racewhkh, if k bqafts norche

cowi^.af bercKS/ac kaft lequals, cbem jq

efuiUfiy. 31hU<»»t;;tlK«fDKi ismewlf.tl^t

vnt&niBoEvmy cdifis^iind poU.vUl all, IhopQ

TG^ti^ 4t as cmt^sfnaticoliaf wic and qrur

clUAOn"' — ■

'. *• We imift at leaft rcfpeft yoM," Taid C«-

ciHa^ ■"■who thiM. gaily can /port with Wv' i

.'** Ah, madam I" laid he, more 4eiriQ.y^^

<'„iii is not from; you lioughtto'look im.<^

fpc£l Ia I niuft ap4Kar tqtyew dKiaoft iSift^sr

dy and coward-hffai'ted.of beings. But l3t^

lyl bJufted to feefou&om poverty^ thoogfa

more, worthily emplqycd .than when' -I had

bten feen by you i«. adluencc:; tbatiftivne

vanquilfced, 3noth«r equally narrow, toetita

place, and ycftorday l.blufhed again thacyog

o*tft£ted me in a new purfuit, though 1 had

only quitted rny former orte from a conviftion

it.wasjill chofen. There (cems'in humiin na4

ture a. votchleiliiefs not toi bei conquered I ' grec

I witi ftriuggk.'with.itto the laftj and eithe?

die ifl-ihe atcempt, or dare feem that which \

am, wicboutiiadding >to the- raiferies, of )^q '

thedtng, the emranoined fting, 4)f dallardly

' faifc'fham©!'^ ■ .

"Your language. iawoadcrfuIIyT altered
1 1 \- within

IfitWn this t#i;tvem6rttfc,'*-^aid Mr.'Mohcfc*
ton 1 " the ftiefthlejii^s ^ bumak natur*! tfro
inijerfes of lifi .' this from you! fb Utdytiu^'
champion of hum.Ln''haturt> and £^e paoeg/'^
rift of human life!"

-^ f': Soured by pierflinal difappointmenti"
atilVered, he "I rtiajt perhaps fp'eak vrich Boa
rtiucb acrimdny; yet,Jii(timately, my opinions
have not miiuh'ch^dged.- Hapymflfs is given
t6 us with-tnor-e liberality than we are willing
to confcfs ; it is judgment only that'is deal*
Wfr fparJngly, and bftKdt-we hafe fo litfle,
that wh^ri'felicity Is before us, W turn 'to tbe
right orleft, or when at ihs right or left; we
prooecd'ftriit forward.' It has>bkren fo with
me; Ihavefoughf it^at & diftance^ amidft
difficulty and danger, when all that I CMj'ld
wl(h has been immediately within my gMlp.'*-
- ** Itmuft be owned,'* faid Mr. MoBcktonj.
^* after what you have fuffit-red from thia
world ycHi vvere wont to defend, there is little
feafon to wonder at fomc change ia your

opinion."

" Yet whatever have been (ny fufferinga," ,
Iwftnfwered, "I have generally been invtdvcd
in them by my ownralhnefsoi-.capricc. My
Jaft ent^rpiHe efneciaily, from .which myex"-
peflations were higheft, was thejnoft ill-ju^-r'
ed of any, I confidercd not how-little^rny j
Vray of life had fitted me fior^thc-exReEi^ont'
J was making, how irreparably, I w^i^enetvavi
ted by loiig ftdentary l^ljics,^d hoMT^^f^^ J
■ ficient '

L> Google

fl^h. " .Wt rflay fight againft p'

9ftA hf^rh and fortitude w

f(«Si^'3'tiift"lt Win not do co w;

r|l tenor of education. We
■jlpile,"'rtfgfet as we pleate, bi

efKbliftied, and habits long!

^empife defpotic, though tl

^rtfcfiptive. Oppoflng the

■6irt herfelf, when forced afidc,' h not more

dsftic in her rebound."
'^" Will you not then/' laid Cecilia, *' (Tnce

■y'Our experiment has failed, return again to

your family, and to the plan of life ypu forr

"rfierly fettled ?'*

" Youfpeakbf them together," faid he,

tHth a fmile, "as Jf you thought them Infe-

parablc; and indeed niy own apprehenfion
tMey wbilld be de'emed fo, has made me thus

■fSafr'to fee niy' friends, fince I lov^e not reRf-
tJince, yet cannot again attempt the plan of
life they wouM have hie purfue. I have given
up my cottage, but my independance is. as
deaF tonic as ever j and all that 1 "have ga-

■thcredfrom experience, is to maintain it Isjr

'rilcffe eniploymcnts for which rny educatipri

h«^tted nit; inftead of feekirtg it injudicl-

otffly by'ihevery r&ad for whicii it has uii--

qtiWificH-h^;"^ '"'■ '-■'>■-'

■ ■«-ftntf;^h^'is^tfii!!^^^ni;lependcnce," 'criid'

Mh'' Mbhtkton,' "'\i*ic!fi' has thus bewitchiji

you^iInSgi^iklbff?^'i^^ncftf'idfe■^rtbn•dfro•-■

inance.find enihufiafri; wkboutcytftaace hat
natpref without polBbiJit^. indife. . In unpi-
'yiljfed cquntricsj or i/i l^vlej^, tifms, intif^
jicndenc.e, for a while, majf psirhaps ftaljc
abroad: but ioar-qgyilargovernisent, 'tjsonl)r-
the viOon of a heated brain,; one pan of a
community mult inevitably hang upon ano-
ther, and 'tis a farce to call, either indepen-
deai, when to. break the chain by which they
are linketl would pr-ovf: deftrmfiion to both*
'The foldier wants not the officer more ihan
the officer tlie-foldieri nor the tenant the
landlord, more than the landlord the tenant.
The rich owe their diftin£tion, their luxuries*
to the poor, as much as the poor owe theij
rewards,. their neccffaries, ip tlie rich."

" Man treated as an automaton," anfwem
ed Bclficld, " and (lonfidercd merely with re«
fpei^ to his bodily operatloDS* may indeed be
called deperdent, fiace the food by wliich he
lives, or, rather, without which he dies, catir
not wholly be cultivated and prepared by his-
cwn hands : but confidered in a nobjer fcnfi?,
he defcrves not the degriidingepithetij ffXi^K
of him, then, as a being of fecjiflg and wtr
der(ianding>.with pridQitq-al,arrniwitii nerves
to tremble, with hofiQiig to fatisfy, and with
a foul to be immort»b!r-M fuch, tnay he not
claim the freedom of hig^wh thoughts ? may
jaot that, ci^im ibe cweadfd TQ. the Uberey «f
.'fpeal^i;ig. an4 th« pew^r^f-- beisgigovicrfle^
^y them- aal^ ^i;ifj^.^^i^x^t ,;*»fd>> a»A

L; Google

action* artif'eMmpt frora-coirtrol, will you
brand him with dependency merely b^caufe
dte 'grazier feeds his meat« and the baker
kneids his "bread ?"

'■•■" But who is there in the- whole world/*
ftiid Mr. Moncktoiij *' extenfive as it is, and
diflHnilar as are its inhabkants, that can pre-
tend to aflert, his thoughts, words^ and ac-
tions are exempt from ctmtrtrf ? even where
,iniefcft> which you fo muchdifdain, interferes
jiet, — thoMgh where that is I cortfefs I can-
not tell t— are we not kept filent where wc '
wifti -to reprove by the fear of offending ? and
jTvad^e fpeak where wifh 5o befilcnt by thcdc-
lira of obliging? do we not bow lo thefcoun*
drel as low as co the man of honour ? are we
not by mere forms kept (landing when tired f
made give place tothofe we defpifc? and
- fmiles to thofe we hate ? or if we refufe thcfe
attentions, are we not regarded as favageSj
and (hut out of fociety ?"

*• All thefc," anfwered Belficld, " are fo
HWrely matters of ceremony, thacthe coiKtf-
£on Can neither coll parn to the proud, nor
-give pleafure to the vain. The bow is to the
Cftat, the attention is to the rank, and the
leAr of offending ought to extend to all man-
Jtind. Homage fuch ali this infringes not oar
finaerity, iince it i»is much a matter of courfe

L> Google

11 94

deccici
parade
eating

"\\
' vrhat I!
depenc

"I

gy. "t

as the
heithei

jiot a 1
« Y

nume^<
tion of
date!
live by
his mo
' tempta
.man 6l
pfcfcril
, •' N
Belticl.
;ticei i
vcr bef
ted, tl
ihould
thcrefc
bufin^l

« A

••notjl
CO the

L> Google

^Mtl^i ^ghing, ** whidi, however Indicrbus it
may fcem to you, req WHT S mewe Ibul and mere
brains «ban any ochrr. Our giaocs may, id-
deed, be only wind-mills, but chey muft be
attacked with as much Tpirit, and coRquord*
vieh as much bravery, as. any fort or any
town, in time of war fboidd be demolilbed;
4nd thoogh the Gege, I- muft coofefs, may be
iof iefs national utility, the aJfaiUnts of the
quill have their honour as much ac heart as
the aflulants of the fword."

" I fuppofe, then," faid Monckton, archly,
**- if a man wants a' biting lampoon, or an
handfome panegp-ic, fome news-paper fcan-
dal, or a fonnet for a lady — '*

" No, no," interrupted BelBeld eagerly,
**-, if you imagine me a hireling fcribbier for'
tlie purpofes of defamation or of flattery, you
as little know my &tuabon as my charaAer.
My fubje^ (ball be my own, and my fatire -
Ibat) be general. I would as much difdain to.
be pcribiial with an anonymous pen, as to at--
tack an unarmed man in the dark with a dag-
ger I had kept concealed."

A reply ot rallying incredulity was rifing"
tflithe lips of Mr; Monckton, when reading
inLihe looks ofCecilia an entire apptobacion"
of this fenliment., he checked his defire of ri-'

L> Google

a«6. c £ u 1 L r Aj

« From my eatlieft youifa. to the jH-eftnt
hour," continued Belfield, ** Unratt*re hu
been the favourite objcft of my par&k, my
recreation ia leifurc, and my hope in ernploy-
ment. My propenfity to it» iodeed, has
been To ungovernable, that I may pvoperiy
call it the fource of ray fevera) miftarriag^S
tbrooghout life. It was the bar to my pre-
ferment* for it gave me a diftaftc tO' other
itudies i it was the caufe of my unfVnadin^fs
in all my undcrtakine$> brcaufe to alM pre-
ferred it. It has funk me to drfbris, it hai
involved me in difficulticst it has-broughc
mc to the brink of ruin by making fnenegle^
the means of living-, yet ncvefi tiJl now, did
1 difccrn it might itfelf be my fupport." -

^" I am' heaftily glad. Sir," faid Cecilia,
". your variouscnicrprizes and ftruggles have
ai. length ended in a project which promifes
you fo much fatisfa£tion. But you will furely
fuffer your Gfter. and your mother to partake
of it ? for who is there that your prdflielrity
will make fo happy?"

" Yoii do ihem infinite honour; -piadam,
by taking any inrerefl in their affairs ; but
to own to you the truth, what to me appears*
profperity, will to them wear another afpeft.
They have looked forward to my elevation
with expectations the moll improbable, and
thought every thing within my grafp, with a
fimnlicitv incredible. But thoueh their hopes

L> Google

U' -Ji u- 1' jj r Av soy

in«Wi aBAI-Jiatienot doiirdge'tt nwet tficir
iMrs, whicIrE atti furc wffl not be fpafed when
theyfeetne.": ■->■-' •' ""^"^ "■"^-
-Vrf* ■'Tis/rorrr Brndfemeft; theft," (aid" Cft-
«Ha, hatf finiling, "that yotr are? trtiel J and
ffom-affctSfcion tor your friends' thilS'^otfrhalte
them beiicre you have ftrrgmten them ?"'
- ■There wa« a delicacy h this repfoadh cx-
»teyfititeito work upon ^Bfffieldi who feel-.
»6g-it with quickntrfs, ftarted crp; ^nd criid,
?«■ -1-belicTC I am mongf-T*I »W'^6 to dJerti '
thre moment!*' . . ^ . ..k. h -

- Cecilia' felt eager to fecoiid th*f generous
iitipulfe^' but Mr. Mbncktort, Jiughing at his
impetucriity, infifted he Ihould fti^'linifh his
' breakfaft. ' . ' ,

. " Your friends/' -f*'d Cecilia, "can Have
no-ttiefrtiflcattdfi lb hard to tteai' as ybuf yo-
JiJritar^ abfeikc-j and' if they fee bUt that you ■
are- happy, thty-v*iii foon be reconciled 'to
whatever fic.uflti,on you may choofe.*

•" Happy!" repeated he, with animation,
"' O, 1 am in paradife!" 1 am come from a
region in the firft rude ftate of nature, to civi-
lization and refinement ! the life I led at the
cottage was the life of a favage j no inter-
cfrorfi; with fociety, no coniolation from
books J nry -mind locked up, every fource
dried of intcHcrtiial delight, and no enjoy-
ment irt; my power bin from fleep and from
food. Weary of an exiltence which thus le-
velled mc with a brute, I grew afliamfed of the
approxi-

J^Mr^d^ a^d-pcrpetuat ignorince. The
approach;^ however, of winter, brought mc
acquainted wiA my mfft^be. !t grew, cold,
k.,g^if^Nki little guarded againll the In-
dcmencf of the weather, 1 felt its feverity in
•very limb,, and mi0ed a. thoufand indulgen-
«^ which ia potkfRoa- 1 had never valued.
To rife at break of day, chill) freezing, and
C^fj^fortlcfsl no fun abroad} na fire at home!
logo out in all weather to' work, that work
TOught ' coarXe, and laborious !— unufed to
fiich hardfliips, 1 found 1 could not bear
them, and however unwillingly, was conri"
pelled to relinqui/h'the attempt."

. Btcakfaft now being over, he again' aro(e
to-t^e leave. '

** You are going then. Sir,!* faid Cecilia,
f- immodiatcly to your friends ?"
. " No,, madam," anfwered he, hefitating,'
'* nOtjuft this moment i to-morrow morning^
Dcr^ps,— but it is now late,, and I have bu-
finefs for the reft of the day."

■,:*^Ah,3Mr. Monckton!" cried Cecilia,"
*f. what mifchief have you done by occafion-
Mgthis delay P'

■ '* This goodncfs, madam," faid Belfield,^.
"myfifler can never fulEciently acknowledge-
But I will own, that though, jult now, in a,
warm momenr, I felt eager to prefent mvfetf

L> Google

CBi|ItlI]UBi)BB>" ■ 'i.'l ><■'); J .'>< .

IfH^iiact ihoaid tbe wbdlc ai^iiiHU in tullch
■pfcifliMiusj'y -^^he is ta>etlenouab> ;Vf^iJ(m3t
tiiere aeines'i)9>jgf}od^&(tin^toung woHicti?*-

beingrfo xHflfcuh/^ - : " ' . , .;

:-^^)Ky offenQcd b^ib IjieccH nrfikh iosw
j4Md.'-a'nidvdclii^to:i^fpofe:of iter, wint-u^^
fU«» w dKr owD KiibBti.iaDd Mr. Mooqktony
.4^Mty5 ewngeiS wfa«R,^ootig ihetr arid Cecilia.'
vers'xlludtS tti ia the &cne fcntenc^retirett
to his library. '."*

>'i$9te>^die7i ordered aabair, a^dwentito PorC^
liMid-iScreiu, 4a fvtiU what fbe. iiad oStrcd
BelJlt^^ and>4(o ceriueB^s'Oibt^r and ^C^£Jlt
ri*e jplea&re of the promifod imBrview..';) 03
- Sfte'ffwhditiiem tbgmWriabd f*6r intefli-
getice being ofcqualconfequenee to both,fher
^tiiiMK -now repine at diie'preTence of Mn^
BcUkldk She made tier conunuDicacion witl»
tlitotnoftiuni^tiiis jE£eehnoni:o''tt)eir d^3ri£txni-
Hift^n^tke iil (be hadiojn^te «litfa'rer{ieftl
I^BeUield's pfcfeu wayof^livinig^.by'intdeziU
vovring to ^wxkca al^e£lk>n aind joy'^rbm' thtf
ptofpeS of the apppoadiihg meeting; Shfc
counfclkd the/na^ much'aspaffible'^ ttfjttaim
ihoirchagria ar his misfortunes, which he
would but cooftrue into icproach of his ill
,Kiaoaggfflpftf4-^n4-^rf;^K:^flt^^ thajf>hen
«f«ce he WIS teftoted to his family^ he might
altnoA

L> Google