Cecilia, Volume 2 (of 3)

to recover his spirits; but the effort was vain, he could neither talk nor look like himself, and though from time to t

h him, as if he hoped by exercise to restore his vivacity; but every attempt failed, he sunk and grew sadder, and mu

rden, and as soon as they were out of sight of all but a few stragglers, he suddenly stopt, and, in great agitation, said, "my chaise will soon be ready, and I shall take of you a long farewell!-all my affairs are unpropitious to my speedy return;-the wine is now mounting into m

e cried, "to you, indeed, I dare not speak! I have used you most unworthily, but I pay for

a, "it is not impossible, I do

rs should have fallen into worthier hands. But come, let us return to the company. My head gr

ecilia, endeavouring to stop him, said "You

it this packet to you," giving a sealed parcel to Cecilia; "had I written it later, its contents had been kinder to my wife, for now the hour of separation approaches, ill will and resentment subside. Poor Priscilla!-I am sorry-but you will succour her, I am sure you will,-Oh had I known you myself

?" cried Cecilia, "and w

ow by and by;-the chaise waits, an

neither to remonstrance nor intre

but when he approached, and said "you have sent, Sir, no answer to my letter!" he stopt, and in a tone of forced polite

nt, though evidently regarding himself as an injured

ried Mrs Harre

d Cecilia, "and how

wo hours," answered he; "c

le will think it very odd to see us here without any party;" but he heeded them not, and perceiving at some distance Mr Morrice, he called

eadiness, "I'll get you one if I turn

urls, while his plump face and person announced plenty and good living, and an air of defiance spoke the fullness of his purse, strutted boldly up to Mr Harrel, and accosti

scornfully, and without touchin

his hat on his head, and with a look that implied I'll fit you for this! put his hands to his sides,

ome to me to-morrow, and you shal

nds to come no more; for I have heard of it any time these three years. I mean no reflection

ion, asked what he meant by dunni

s no matter for where it may be. A man of business never wants a counter if he can meet with a j

," cried Mr Harrel, angrily, "I would

erson in all England, gentle nor simple, can say he's a right to break mine, for I'm not a person of that sort, but a man

don't follow us in this manner! If we meet any

roper respect, no man will behave more generous than myself; but if I'm affro

pered, yet loud enough to be heard, "It's surprizeable to me, Mr Hobson, you can behave so out of the way! For my part, perhaps I've as much my due

"what shall we do now? here's all M

"why give them all a supper, to be sure. Come, gentle

I'm as willing to spend my money as another man; only what I say is this, I don't chuse to be cheated, for that's losing one's substa

profoundness of his reverence, "I can't upon no account think of taking the liberty; but if I may just sta

ing such people as these to supper? what will every body say? suppose a

erry. O ho, Mr Morrice, why have you b

it but that gentleman who made me spill the tea-pot at the Pantheon. So I made an apology, and told him the case; but he only said humph? and hay? so then I told it all over again, but he served me just the same, for he never seems to hear what one says till one's just done, and the

d Mr Harrel, "ha

was to end in a mere idle frolic, warmly joined her remonstrances to those o

nattention to all about him. The intrusion, however, of so large a party, seemed to threaten his insensibility with unavoidable disturbance; thou

ly out of good-nature to the waiters, as he is neither eating nor drinking, nor doing any thing at all. So if you two ladies will go in at that side, M

eclining posture, and staring Morrice in th

r trick in the absence of mind and indolence of manners which he observed in Mr Meadows, was utterly amazed by this interrogatory, and staring himself in r

, "why then now you do, perhaps you'll be so ob

returned to his

t mean to disturb you; for you seemed so lost in thought, t

nion, I should think, as you happen to be quite alone, a little agre

has no peticklar objection, for me just to stand somewhere hereabouts, and so, when he's had what he's a mind to, be ready for to pop in at one side,

tly, "let us neither sup in this box no

Cecilia; "it is utterly improper we shoul

s, who could no longer seem unconscious of what passed, did himself

I was sure there was no gentleman but woul

g Mr Harrel to give up this scheme; but he would not hear them, he insisted upon their going into the box, an

Morrice to do the honours without more opposition. Morrice, but too happy in the office, placed Cecilia next to Mr Meadows, and would have made Mr Marriot her other neighbour, but she insisted upon not being parted from Mrs Harrel, and therefore, as he chose to sit also by that lady himself, Mr Marriot was obliged t

lent; but Mr Meadows thought proper to force himself to talk with Cecilia,

ke this pl

know,-I never w

all. To see a set of people walking after nothing! strolling abou

," said Cecilia, s

l are! taking pleasure even from the privation of it! forcing ourselves into exercise

d Morrice, "don't

echanical motion! with no knowledge upon what principles he proceeds, but plodding on,

s maxim! But what I say as to this matter, is this, if a man must always be stopping to consider what foot he is standing upon, he had need

her answer to this speec

u are fond of riding, for all you

l less intellectual than ourselves! a sudden spring may break all our limbs, a stumble may fracture our sculls! And what is the i

ery wel

th a vacant smile; "you are quite ri

ude as to put in my oar, but if I did not take you wrong, I'm sure just now I thought you seemed for to ma

er like riding nor walking, you can have

worse! it dispirits me to death! it robs me of all fire

Morrice, "do you like

st unmeaning thing in the world!

on, "let me ask the favour of you

full in the face, began picking h

you; but if I may take the liberty just to put in, I think if he neither lik

supper, and I hope you will like that. Pray

his way out of the box. - Mr Harrel now, starting from the gloomy reverie into which he had sunk, undertook to do the honours of the table,

s passing by the box, stopt to make his

half-dying fatigue, "are you not accablé? for my part, I hardly respir

om, Sir," said Morrice, "

e the gentleman will be very welcome to take my place, for

Captain; "I shall be quite au d

to come in, you would not stand upon ceremony; for what I say is, let every man speak his mind, an

with horror, turned from him without making any answer, and said to

ours, I believe

assez de monde, but nobo

on for the liberty, but if I understood right, you said something of a blank? pray, Sir, if I may be so f

from head to foot, "I am quite assommé

hought if in case it should not be above half a crown, or such a

but not thinking it necessary to take any further notice

, "I have already stayed

my part, I make it a principle not to stay long in these semi-barbarous places, for after a certain time, they b

nsipidity, he protested he was reduced

old," said Mr Hobson, "what co

I suppose, Sir

n, "why I could not understand one wo

or I'm sure I thought I could have sworn he said something of a blank, or to

t, I hold them to be of no use. Suppose a man was to talk in that manner when he's doing business, what would be the upshot? who'd understan

swering me something I should not understand; but as well as I could make it out, I thought I heard him say there was nobody here! what he could mean by

y things are lost upon me; and, to tell you the truth, I thought he

excellent hint, Mr Hobson! come! le

ould pledge him. Mr Marriot and Mr Morrice made not any objec

ken to unfit him for setting out, refused him with equal firmness and displeasure, and lamented, with the bitterest self-reproaches, the consent which had been forced from her to be present at a scene of such disorder; but Mrs Harrel would have opposed him in vain, had not

o say to you! Come amongst us and be merry! Her

lent; and then, looking round the box, and observing Messrs Hobson and Simkins, he exclai

errogation; but Mr Simkins, who had still his way to make in the world, and whose habitual servility would have resisted a larger draught, was easily intimidated; he again, therefore stood up, a

capable of giving any, only repeated his i

pointing to Mr Hobson, "why you don't

, sure, and a hosier too; sit down,

ered, "Sir, you may sit down with a worse man any day in the week! I have done nothing I'm ashamed of, and no man can say to me wh

llow," cried the haughty Baronet, "

character in the world, and wherewithal to live by my own liking. And what I have is my own, an

by that, fellow?

scrubby apprentice? Let every man have his own, that's always my way of thinking; and this I can say for myself, I have as good a

, and Cecilia with dignity, calling upon them both to forbear, the Baronet desired Morrice t

on, if I may make so free, I must needs be bold to say I am quite ashamed of you! a person of your standing and credit for to talk so disrespectful! as if a gentleman ha

ry man have his due; for as to taking a little pleasure, here I am, as one may say, doing the same myself; but where's the harm of that? who's a right to call a man to account that's clear of the world? Not that I mean to boast, nor nothing like

ia, now grew more and more turbulent; he insisted that Mr Simkins should return to his seat, ordered him another bumpe

when Cecilia, in a low voice, supplicated him to bring no one back, with

e distance before it, to observe what was passing, and to contemplate with envy and admiration an appearance of mirth and enjoyment which they attributed to happiness and pleasure! Mrs Harrel, shocked to be seen in such mixed company, gr

him, was listening to the scheme, when Mr Marriot, who had been evidently provoked and disconcerted since the junction of the Baronet, su

d the assistance of either; but her distress was unspeakable, as there was not one person in the party to whose care she could commit herself,

of his loud and violent singing, he vehemen

icantly at Cecilia; "I have really been so unlucky a

lf." "O no, pray, Mr Harrel, bring nobody else," cried his wife.

hall I not bring you those pretty girls? Yes, one

ed out anot

ried Cecilia, rising, "[that]

Harrel, bursting into tears; "did y

ing kiss!" then wildly jumping upon his seat, he leap

m, and his preceding behaviour had made them cease to expect it; Mrs Harrel, leaning upon Cecilia, continued to weep, while she, confounded and alarmed, scarce knew whether she sho

le one drove it from her imagination; for scarcely had Mr Harrel quitted the box a

ilia; everybody arose, some with officious zeal to serve the ladies,

ulty refrained from rushing out herself to discover what was passing; but her dread of being followed by Mrs Harrel prevented her; th

, conjuring her to keep still, begged Mr Marriot to bring them some account. Mr Marriot, like the messengers who had p

listening to every sound and receiving every possible addition to their alarm, by the general confusion which they observed in the gard

he was passing shewed himself almost covered with blood! Mrs Harrel vehemently called after him, demanding

round; for Cecilia, shuddering with horror, lost all he

s their particular distress was unknown, and their situation unnoticed; till at le

ccepted his help in raising her. She was lifted up, however, without the smallest effort on her own part, and was only kept

uspect its motive, and addressing himself to Cecilia, said, "I am a

but their silence was s

riend can't order him out of the crowd, and hav

g from one surprize by the effect of anot

entleman dead?" "No, no, no!" she cried; "he must be brought in; let some careful people go and bring him in." Nor would she quit the bar, till two or three waiters were called, and received her orders. And then, eager to see them executed herself, she ran, fearless of being alone, and without thought of being lost, towards the fatal spot whither th

, and give, if yet there was room for hope, such orders as would best conduce to his safety and recovery, she was met by Mr Marriot, who en

here is any chance he may be saved, no sight shall be to

is recovery is impossible. There is a surgeon with him already; one who happened t

his last moments, there was any thing he wished to communicate, or desired to have done; but, as she struggled to

ed, had forfeited all right to her esteem, and the unfeeling selfishness of his whole behaviour had long provoked her resentment and excited her disgust; yet a catastrophe so dreadful, and from which

ch she recollected the situation of Mrs Harrel; she hastened, therefore, back to her, attended

nths of their marriage, a conclusion so horrible to all connection between them could not be heard without sorrow and distress. Her temper, too, na

ing for herself, and knowing her at all times to be extremely helpless, now summoned to her own aid all the strength of mind she possessed,

lodged, begged Mr Marriot to stay with her, and then, accompanied by the Baronet, returned herself to the bar, and desiring the footman who had attended them to be called, sent him instantly to his late master, and proceeded next with great presence of m

out of his senses; yet so distorted with pain, and wounded so desperately beyond any power of relief, that the surgeon, who every instant expected his death,

ir Robert, "and was there no friend who for the few p

aid Sir Robert, "of supporti

her dislike to him, nor her scruples for herself, to interfere with the pr

ediately, he said, be sen

r that purpose, which w

e directly to the townhouse, but Sir Robert told her it must be carried to the ne

lf to Sir Robert, "You will now Sir, I hope," she said, "return to the fatal spot, and wa

do?" cried he; "had I n

nnot refuse to see who is with him, and in what situation he lies, and whether he has met, from the

go away till I come back? for I have no great

"but if you refuse this last poor office, I must apply elsewhere; and firmly

er, an impression upon the mind of Sir Robert, t

d take the sole care of her, and the lateness of the night, and their distance from home, gave her a dread invincible to going so far without some guard or assistant. Mr Marriot earnestly desired to have the honour of conveying them to Portman-square in his own carriage, and notwithstanding there were many objections to

, told her, in a low voice, that they must wait some time longer, as the Undertaker's people were then entering the garden, and if they sta

rrel, whose sorrow, though violent, forbad not consolation. But before the garden was cleared, and the carriage ordered, Sir Robert returned

presently added, "Whenever you chu

red when the ladies are ready, and I hope to ha

aintance with Mrs Harrel gives me a prior right to attend her,

at, Sir, but Miss Beverley herself has done me t

have sent me out of the way in order to execute her own commands, mere

o lessen the favour of her decision, th

while Mr. Marriot assisted us, Sir Robert would be far more humanely employed in taking charg

refore, after sending me upon such an errand, you don'

cannot argue with you now; I have already settled m

young rival he despised, he presently said, "If I must talk no more about it to you, madam, I m

, that at a time such as this, you should not be wholly indifferent to a matter so frivolous? little indeed will be the pleasure which our society can afford!

sibility that two ladies could go to town alone, in a hackney coach, and without even a servant, at near

ation the whole time opposed her refusal; yet her repugnance to giving way to the overbearing Baronet, and her fear of his resentm

of the people in the bar, who had been extremely humane and civil, whether they could assist or counsel her. She therefore desired the two gentlemen to take care of Mrs Harrel, to which neither

s beginning some speech about his mother; but the instant the sound of his voice reached Cecilia, she joy

shed, "yes I hope so!-has any

"we will now trust ourselves with you

while I live!-but what is the matter?-why are you so pa

rve, with the utmost earnestness

"what has happened? Can you

ou were not returned from Vauxhall; some other circumstances also alarmed her, and therefore, late as it was, I came hither myself. The instant I

tell you!-take us but under your

arrel, said she had now a conveyance at once safe

first, each of them declaring

ow be superfluous; Mrs Delvile herself has sent fo

a single question, but finding she was unable to support Mrs Harrel, who rather suffered herself to be carr

utmost emotion exclaimed, "Amiable Miss Beverley! what a dreadful scene have you witnessed! what a cruel task have you nobly performed! such spirit with such sof

moment when her whole mind was occupied by matters foreign to its peculiar interests. She made, however, her enqui

e, whose eyes were rivetted on her face, with an expression of the most lively admiration; each, however, then quitted the other, and hastened to the fair mourner

n, appeared as the representative of his father, and his authority seemed the authority of a guardian. Their only consolation was that neither had yielded to the other, and all spirit of altercation or revenge was sunk