Cecilia, Volume 1 (of 3)

to St James'-Square; she found nobody immediately ready to re

rs to my people, that I may not be interrupted while I have the pleasure of passi

her to a seat, and having himself taken p

y I should imagine must be very alarming: now as I consider myself concerned in your fame and welfare from regarding you as my ward, I think it is incumbent upon me to make enquiries into such of your affairs

ess, gravely answered that she fancied t

nferences. And let me, at the same time, assure you there is no other young lady who has any right to expect such an attention from me. I must begin by begging you to i

!" cried Cecili

should be sorry to distress you, and mean to the utmost of my power to save your blushes. Do not, therefore, fear me; consider me as your guardian,

ave, I believe, no

when I consider how little you are accustomed to me, I do not wonder. But pray take courage; I think

had been misinformed, and was again, though discredited, praised for her modesty, when, t

derstand you have already had the

once had that happiness, but I have never

r Mortimer Delvile, my son; and, Mortimer, in Miss Beverley I de

"forget an injunction my own i

ndsome, were full of expression, and a noble openness of manners and add

ley, if I leave you for a few minutes; one of my tenants sets out to-morrow morning for my estate in the North, and he has been two hours waiting to speak

y waving his hand,

ffice which, could I execute it as perfectly as I s

fast; but let me not be any restraint upon you, I shall find a book, or a newspap

m your presence. I breakfasted long ago, and am now just come from Mr Bel

ir, did you

n in full health, and entirely at his ease; though I perceived, by the frequent changes of his countenance, signs of pain and indisposition, that made me,

ee his sur

essing more of his wound, and then get rid of

d with him, Sir, be

st seeing Miss Beverley, I might be too happy to feel much difficulty in being pleased. And even at the Opera he had the advantage of finding me in the same favourable disposition, as I had long distinguished you before I had taken any notice of

ook of curiosity that seemed eager to penetra

"he had all the provocation tha

with much surprize, "judge of t

everity, simply

r Sir Robert! Severity were no

quaint Cecilia that Mrs Delv

vile, who, taking her hand, said he would himself present her to h

e Cecilia heartily wish it over; but, assuming all the courage in her power, she determined to support he

all the unfavourable impressions with which she came into her presence immediately vanished, and that respect which

her features, still uninjured by the siege of time, not only indicated the perfection of her juvenile beauty, but still laid claim to admiration in every beholder. Her carriage was lofty and commanding; but the dignity to which high birth and consc

untenance so intelligent, nor manners so well formed as those of Cecilia: thus mutually astonished and mutually pleased, their first salutations were accompanied by looks s

his lady, "that you would give her a kind reception; and I

ckness, "that I should give you a kind reception, for I feel

so, m

seen her, I already look back with regret to the ti

or if she has not now the indulgence by frequent and diligent visits to make some repa

mediately be proclaimed; were it to be procured only by my abse

erning the disturbance last Saturday at the Opera-house. I have not, myself, so much time to spare, as I have several appointments for this morning; but I a

rmly, "and not only her maturity, but her decline of life will pas

business to do more than wish. For that, I feel my own honour and my own credit concerned; my honour, as I gave it to the D

that recompensed her for the haughtiness of her guardian, "till I have had some opportu

ur favour as myself, and as desirous to be of service to you. Endeavour, therefore, to cast off this timidity, and to make your

ove? unless, indeed, she apprehends her visits will make us encroachers, and tha

e name of the person who was Sir Robert Fl

ield,

f some family, a gentleman, rich, and allied to some people of distinction, was a rather strange circumstance: I mean not, however, to prejudge the case; I will hear it fa

disturbance at the Opera, I know not that

ny thing is yet undecided, it will not, perhaps, be amiss that I should be consulted. Mean time, I will only recommend to you to consider that

ome great mistake; neither of these gen

lvile with a laugh, "a very extraordina

ld soon clear all its incumbrances. Such an alliance, therefore, would be mutually advantageous: but what would result from a union with such a person

nothing!" ans

e has wit, spirit, and understanding, talents to create

t if such is his character, he merits you

e first appearance takes the mind by surprise, and leaves the judgment to make afterwards suc

t have a care your recommendation d

well as honourable, and run precipitately into forming such as can do you no good among people of rank, and are not only profitless in themselves, but generally lead you into expence and inconvenience. Yo

but he is in a profession where parts such as his seldom fail to acquire riches; however, as to me his wealth

Mortimer Delvile he is no companion. If you can render him any service, I shall commend your so doing; it becomes your birth, it becomes your station in life to assist ind

ley with nothing better than fam

everley for having occasioned them: but when she is so good as to ho

r your story; speak to her, therefore, without reserve. And pray don't imagine that I make you over to her from any slight; on the contrary, I admire

red; leaving her much in doubt whether his hau

erstand it, however, too well to inflict it. We will, therefore, have no explanations at all till we are better acquainted, and then if you

swered Cecilia, "but I must assure

I have acquired no right to any other: but hereafter I shall hope for more openness: i

whatever are your enquiries, I shall always be proud t

an escape is without hope of recompence. But we will not now say a word more upon the subject. I hope you will often f

f Mrs Delvile had impressed her, was quickly ripened into esteem by the charms of her conversation: she found her sensible, well bred, and high spirited, gifted by nature with superior talents, and polished by education and study with all the elegant embel

with her visit, that though her carriage was announced at twelve o'clock, she reluctantly concluded it at two; and in taking her leave, gladly accepte