Cecilia, Volume 1 (of 3)

sity, to see them: she was, therefore, not only surprised but disappointed, when instead of fulfilling her expectations, she assured her that she had been delighted with Mrs Delvile, whose enga

disposition to hatred and jealousy, soon dropt the subject: though so much had she been charmed with Mrs Del

nce, but who, this day, contrary to his general custom of remaining with the gentlemen, made his exit befor

pon the merits of Sir Robert Floyer, he formally acquainted her that he was

red him to tell the Baronet, she was obliged to him for the honour he i

of her refusal. She thought it sufficient to tell him that Sir Robert did not please her, but, with much raillery, he denied the assertion credit, assuring her that he was universally admired by the ladies, that she could not possibly receive a more honourable offer, and that

ld change, and to spare her the enumeration of particular objections,

him at the Opera-house? There has been but one opinion a

ht was but the effect of surprise, and belong

in conclusion, notwithstanding her earnest desire that he would instantly and explicitly inform Sir Robert of her

ned to find her incautious emotion at the Opera-house, had given rise to suspicions

, she was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Monckton, whose joy in meeting her at length by herself exceeded not her own, for charme

of Cecilia, of their satisfaction in being again able to converse as in former times, he asked if

he could not m

s that the change of your residence might produce a change in your sentiments, is still as unshaken as when we parted i

eration, it could not but embarrass and distress me. Very far, however, from finding myself in the danger with which you threatened me, of forgetti

d Mr Monckton,

stible; but these, though copious as instruments of pleasure, are very shallow as sources of happiness: t

en, disagree

moment, when I have again the happiness of talking with you, I have never once had any conversation, society

to find consolation for the loss of yours and of Mrs Charlton's, I should have complained of nothing; the very places that now tire, might then have entertained me, and all that now passes for unmeaning dissipation, might then have worn the appearance of variety and pleasure. But where the mind is wholly without interest, every thing is languid and insipid; and accustomed as I have long been to think friendship the first of

them, by artfully retracing her former way of life, and pointing out with added censures the change in it she had been lately compelled to make: "a chang

and why, when far from finding me pleased, you hear nothin

rove your firmness, and because there is nothin

evertheless, not to be too presumptuous, I have by no means exposed myself to all the dangers wh

elieved his fears of her forming any alarming connection, and the discovery that while so anxiously he had sought her every where in public, she had

such as his knowledge of her disposition made him expect, and she wholly removed his suspicions concerning her anxiety about the quarrel, by explaining to him her a

conversation she had just had with Mr Harrel, and begged his advic

; he found that Mr Arnott was given up for Sir Robert, and he determined carefully to watch the motions both of the Baronet and her young guardian, in order to discover the nature of their plans and connection. Mean time, convinced by her unaffected aversi

gh they have encreased my disgust, make me dread to shew it. I am impatient, therefore, to have done with him, and t

ciously," cried he; "would you,

iged to reside with one of my guardian

n a voice of astonishment. "Surely you do

nversation would afford me more entertainment and instruction in a

you really think of m

ble: on Thursday, however, I am to dine with her, and t

ch a house? Is not Mr Delvile the most ostentatious, haughty, and self-sufficient of men? I

isome parade of superiority; but his lady by no means merits to be included in the same reproach. I have spent this whole morning with her, and thou

at the house? Do yo

him three o

do you thi

enough of him t

erceive in him already all the arrogance, a

be liberal and noble, open to impressions o

, the wife and the son will, in a few more meetings, appear also. They are descended from the same stock, and inherit the same self-complacency. Mr Delvile married his cousin, and each of them instigates the other to believe that all birth and ran

gnificant in his insinuations to their discredit, that she was at length persuaded she had judged too hastily,

s admonitions to disgust, nor by fretful solicitude to alarm her. He did not quit her till the evening was far advanced, and then, in returning to his own house, felt all his anxieties and disappointments recompensed by the comfort this long and satisfactory c