Cecilia, Volume 1 (of 3)

rt which renders delineation superfluous, receiv

playing, was seated next to Miss Leeson, who arose to return the courtesy s

ng where so little encouraged; they both, therefore, continued silent, till Sir Robert Floyer, M

l, "don't you chuse to

Beverley never plays at all, for then, in one

answered Cecilia, "and

d Mr Harrel, "Sir Robert Floyer, I am

r, and was staring full in her face, made a sligh

turned Cecilia, "for I fear I should not o

el; "we have had you yet but three days amongst

Arnott, "I earnestly ho

nd to the back of her chair, where he patiently stood for the rest of the evening. But Sir Robert still

d to move her chair round and face Mr Arnott, but though she wished to shew her disapprobation of the Baronet, she had not yet been reconciled by fashion to turning her back upon the company at large, for the indulgence of conversi

d of Mr Arnott, since even his own desire of conversing with her, was swallowed up

an object to be gazed at, she determined to att

of thinking, or her way of life, ignorant even of the sound of her voice, and chilled by the coldness of her aspect: yet, having no other alternati

esent the first time they had met, and thought it probable they might be acquainted with each oth

ressive of satisfaction or displeas

e of Sir Robert in staring at her, exciting her own in trying to avoid his eyes, she ex

ng her head, gravely repli

ubject to be started, for she could suggest no

iling source of conversation and entertainment: upon this topic, therefore, she hoped for better success; and as to those who have spent more time in the country than in

me dryness, only answere

the name of Almack, she presently revived, and, congratulating herself that she should now be able to speak of a place t

, ma

to them c

ma'

uiry, she thought a more general one might obtain an answer less laconic, and therefore begge

more trouble than any which had preceded it,

ed how frivolous were the questions she had asked, she felt more inclined to pardon the answers she had received, and in a

ing all the courage in her power, she modestly apologised for the liberty she was taking, and then begged her

hen the attentive attitude of Cecilia confirmed her question, surprise for a few instants took place of insensib

wholly provoked with her sullen neighbour, she resolved to let nothing

g pretty well satisfied with staring, turned upon his heel, and was striding out of

nd keen satire: minute in his observa

play, Sir Robe

o, I am going

l's ward? You have taken a

h, I think; she's a devilish fine woma

er? Have you t

I, tr

do you mean t

one never thinks of talking to

thod, then, ha

on

then, how do

e women take all that tro

fade macaroni? For this is a part of your

he d--l will fatigue himself with dancing attendance upon the women,

rrel, he took him by the arm, a

said, "I have been wishing to approach you, some time, but the fear that you are already over

y loquacity, and indeed its ill success

s they are called, who now infest the town, are in two divisions, the SUPERCILIOUS, and the VOLUBLE. The SUPERCILIOUS, like Miss Leeson, are silent, scornful, languid, and affected, and disdain all converse but with those of their own set: the VOLUBLE, like Miss Larolles, are flirting, communic

one of the VOLUBLES; however, all the advantage has been w

er, you have not tal

old ought to have been whi

in order, therefore, to render their commerce somewhat difficult, they will only be pleased by an observance of their humours: which are ever most various and most exuberant where the i

r me with it, for I have here an admi

dy who seems resolutely determined not to speak, or who, if compelled by a direct quest

int," interru

ued, "the remedy I have to propose co

hat are

lic places,

iverted, waited a fuller explanati

, since there are no less than three causes from which the silenc

Cecilia, "give nothi

an equivalent for wit; but for that sullen silence which resi

e explicit, if you mean that I shou

orrow. The taciturnity which really results from that is attended with an incurable absence of mind, and a total unconsciousness of t

cilia, with a laugh, "that so

y, or mama may have been cross; a milliner may have sent a wrong

iction, indeed! And are

tives of displeasure between the old and the young, will draw forth her complaints, and her complaints will bring their own cure, for those who lament find speedy consolation: if the milliner has occasioned the calamity, the discussion

wing, "for granting them motives of sorrow so honour

beholders. This species of silence has almost without exception its origin in that babyish vanity which is always gratified by exciting attention, without ever perceiving that it provokes contempt. In these cases, as nature is wholly out of the question, and the mind is guarded against its own feelings, dress and public places are almost certain of failing, but here agai

tation. Proceed next to stupidity; for that, in al

are; but public places are indubitably certain of success. Dull and heavy characters, incapable of animating from wit or from reason, because unable to keep pace with them, and void of all internal sources of entertainment, require the stimulation of shew, glare, noise, and bustl

I know not how upon the present occasion to make use of them: public places I have already trie

"be not desperate; you have y

ed she, laughing,

it is started by men, young ladies dwindle into mere listeners. Simpering listene

, and all Lady Belgrade's trinkets. I never saw such a collection of sweet things in my life. I was ready to cry that I could not bid for half a hundred of them. I declare I was kept in an agony the whole morning. I would not but have been there for th

tunate escape, for the loss of patience without the acquis

his commercial city, you will find the exchange of patience for mortif

by that old red gown half a mile off. Did you ever see such a frightful thing in your life? And it's never off her back. I believe she sleeps in it. I am sure I have seen her in nothing else all winter. It quite tires one's eye. Sh

ia, laughing; "your pass

t up, because there was not a creature in town, so I thought to bring it out quite new in about a week's time, for you know any thing does till after Christmas. Well, to-night at Lady Jane Dranet's, who should I meet but Miss Moffat! She had been in town some days, but so monstrously engaged I could never find her at home. Well, I was quite del

her trimming is dirty, yours

think anything was ever half so mortifying. It distressed me so, I could hardly speak to her. If she had stayed a month or two longer, I should not hav

deed," said Cecilia, "f

rd-table, Miss Larolles tript aw

ompanion of Miss Leeson: they could not but agree admirably, since that SUPERCILIOUS young lady seems determined never to speak, a

silly, is quick, the other, though deliberate, is stupid. Upon a short acquaintance, that heaviness which leaves to others the whole weight of discourse, and whole sear

red of the beginning of the evening than entertained wit