Cecilia, Volume 1 (of 3)

acquaint Mr Harrel with the state of the affair. But that lady was too helpless to know in what ma

n enquiry, heard that he was, in all proba

Mrs Harrel wou

knew not

ated that without losing an instant he would find out his friend Sir Robert Floyer, and endeavour to e

answer that Mr Harrel would

s manners, and detested his boldness; and she had already shewn her intention to accept the assistance of Mr Belfield before he had followed her with an offer of his own. She was uncertain, indeed, whether he had remarked what had passed, but she had reason to think that, so cir

d herself as so entirely unconcerned in it, that, easily wearied wh

Mr Harrel, sat up by herself: but it was not till near

"I fear by your coming home so late you have had

n engaged himself in so particular a manner, that he could not possibly break from his party till past t

n whom he pretended to call his friend, would not leave him till he had promise

half the night in gaming, and the consequences, however dreadful, were but natural. That Sir Robert Floyer also did the same was a ma

she sent to enquire if Mr Harrel was stirring, and hearing he was asleep, gave orders to have him called. Yet he d

arrived, who now for the first time ha

cried she; "have you seen Mr Belfield?

ed, he made at first no reply; and when, with increasing impatience, she repeated her question,

nev

en him often

ut the evening Mrs Harrel received

fety of Sir Robert you a

eir quarrel was so trifling, that I cannot bea

better to one of th

y: Sir Robert was undoubtedly the aggressor, and Mr Belf

m his apprehensions; and, carefully observing her lo

where he was quite alone, and in much agitation: he conversed with him for more than an hour upon the subject of the quarrel, but found he so warmly r

onsent to no compromise befor

ot to him-the chall

od heaven!-and do

ing at his lodgings, but

ow him? Were there no means to

ut before any body in the house was st

hen, been to

ared all night; I traced him, through his servants, from the Opera to

ance of satisfying her, offered his service to go again in search of both the gentlemen, and end

esirous to relieve them, that without even making any merit of obliging her, he almost instantly set out upon the same errand that

d at this condescension, she desired he might immediately be admitted; but much was her surprise augmented,

ing to the motives which had occasioned his visit, "when I had the honour," he said, "of seeing you last night at the Opera-house, the dispute which had just happened between two gentlemen, seemed to give you an uneasiness which could

ou relieve me from a suspense extremely disagreeable. The

ect too much; but hope is never so elastic a

matter? Are they a

I cannot tell you they h

: but you will very much oblige me, sir

meditated, I thought it not absolutely impossible that an expeditious mediation might effect a compromise: at least it was worth trying; for though wrath slowly kindled or long nourished is sullen and intractable, the sudden anger that ha

ia, "that, I fear, wa

to make the proposal: nor did I leave the Opera-house till I had used every possible argument to persuade Sir Ro

mild a word! What, then, could

and I waited upon him with an intention to offer my services towards settling the affair by arbitration: for since you call him poor Mr Belfield, I thi

a, "that an offence to his antagonist

sympathy offensive and defensive had been concluded between you. I could not, however, gain access to Mr Belfield

cilia; "your kind offices have not

aithful Esquire! He was, however, gone out, and nobody knew whither. About

l, S

time he will be able, if you will allow him so

then wo

rfectly safe. Belfield fired first, and mi

ar it, indeed! And

him immediately. I stayed to enquire his opinion after the wound had been dressed: he told me he had extracted the ball, and assured me Mr Belfield was not in any danger. Your alarm, madam, last night, which had always been presen

erley, I am sure I should have been charged with his compliments, and such a commission would somewhat have lessened the presumption of this visit; but I feared lest while I should

took h

Mr Delvile! and thence the knowledge of my situation which gav

an. I hate the very sight of her, for she keeps every body in such awe that there's nothing but restraint in her presence. But

ligence he meant to communicate was already known: and not the more pleased to hear that

not to make known whither he had been; but he soon found his forbearance was of no avail, as she was already acquainted with the duel and its consequences. Yet his unremitti

nday morning! and soon after Mrs Mears, who also was followed by other ladies, brought the same account, which by all was addressed to Cecilia, wit

its: "Miss Beverley," he cried, "I bring you news that will repay all

mely provoked to be thus congratulated, "that a

e has not killed his man; the victory, therefore, will neither cost him a flight

ss trouble," said Cecilia, "for I hav

is won't do now! it might have passed a little

sclaiming it only excited further raillery, and therefore prevail

the horror she conceived of his fierceness, and the indignation she felt excited by his arrogance. He seemed, from the success of this duel, to think himself raised to the highest pinnacle of human

d in the belief: her anxiety had so thoroughly satisfied him of her love, that she had hardly the power left t

ul brutality, Cecilia with pain kept her seat, and with vexation reflected upon the necessity she

ert, with a sort of proud humility, that half feared rejection, and half proclaimed an indifference to meeting it, sa

ne her to her own room for the rest of the evening. The Baronet, looking at his watch, instantly cried, "Faith, that

any the next morning to breakfast. She readily accepted the invitation, though she was by no means prep