Cecilia, Volume 3 (of 3)

; but in the evening, Cecilia's interest in it was all sunk

ss Be

ough so captivating, is so painful; but alas, my excellent young friend, we came not hither to enjoy, but to suffer; and happy only are those whose sufferings have nei

espect. All further conflict I had hoped to have saved you; and to the triumph of your goodness I had tr

ulation and authority. From your own words alone will he acknowledge his dismission; and notwithstandi

the unfortunate Mortimer, and it was earnestly my desire to spare you the sight of his affliction; yet such is my confidence in your prudence, that sinc

ait upon you together, where and when you will appoint; but if the gentleness of your nature will make the effort too

be sure of my concurrence, for nobly have you earned, and ever must you

by new conflicts! Oh why must I so often, so cruelly, though so reluctantly

moment in complying with Mrs Delvile's request, and immediately sent

her in silent dejection; and Mrs Harrel used all the persuasion in her power to prevail with her to stay, her presence being some relief to her solitude: but fin

t from the moment of the discovery, he would implicitly have submitted to the award of a parent at once so reverenced and so beloved, and how he had summoned courage to contend with her she could not conjecture: yet that courage and that contention astonished not more than they soothed her, since, from her knowledge of his filial tenderness, she considered

, and was all her ambition: yet earnestly she wished the meeting over, for she dreaded to

rs, and so much grieved at her departure, that he handed her to the chaise without being able to

left her. She communicated to her the purpose of her return, and begged she would keep her gr

e ready to receive them. They came not till eleven o'clock, an

nounced, and at length

view of her, with the hope that in a few instants her emotion would be less visible, said, in the most soothing accents, "What honour Miss Beverley does us by permitting this visit! I should have b

ed her, had no power to speak; and Mrs Delvile, finding she st

the reception was over, and then, approaching Cecilia, in a voice of perturbation and resentment, said, "In this presence, at

is irrevocable; you now meet Miss Beverley for no other purpose than to giv

to claim her! I am hers, and hers wholly! I protest it in the face of the world! The time, therefore, is now

sed, answered, "This is not a point to be at present discussed, and I had hoped you knew better what was due to your auditors. I only conse

titude to say, "Whatever tie or obligation may be supposed to depend

?-Oh how have I offended you? how have I merited a displeasure that can draw u

at this language in the presence of his

eadful and horrible antipathy succeeded to your esteem?-tel

onal violence. Why will you interrupt Miss Beverley in the only speech you ought to hear from her? Why, at once, oppress her, and irritate me, by words of more pa

me, Cecilia, but your too exquisite delicacy is betraying not only my happiness, but your own. Once more, therefore, I conjure y

hanging colour, was si

upon me in suffering me to lead you to the altar,-all these particulars are already known to so many, that the least reflection must convince you they will soon be concealed from none: tell me, then, if your own fame pleads

ising irresolution; "there is nothing for you to see, but

lia, "you have now spoken to Miss Beverley; and unwilling as I am to obtrude upon her our differenc

apparent wavering built new hopes, "first let her

vile, "for so only can she judge what a

which he has been educated, the honour of his house, his own former views, and all his primitive sense of duty, both public and private!-A passion built on such a defalcation of principle renders him un

exclaimed Delvil

madam, there is no occasion to probe me so deeply, for I would not

mother, "are you satisfied? is your purpose now answered? and is the d

orily inflicted!-Were this excellent young creature portionless, I would not hesitate in giving my consent; every claim of interest would be overbalanced by her virtues,

eak up this conference. I have spoken, I hav

r what an object the sacrifice was planned. You cannot be unhappy, you have purchased peace by the exercise of virtue, and the close of every day

the proudest afford as an equivalent? Her perfections you acknowledge, her greatness of mind is like your own; she has generously given me her heart,-Oh sacred and fascinating charge! Shall I, after such a deposite, cons

you, she is noble-minded, and will honour you. Fly, then, at this critical moment, for in flight alone is your safety; and then will your fath

for mercy, for humanity, for

fold misery, will follow their disobedience. Hear me, Mortimer, for I speak prophetically; I know your hea

lia, while her eyes sparkled with the animation of reviving hope, "See," she cried, pointing to her son, "see if I am deceived! can he bear even the suggestion of future contrition! Think you when it falls upon him, he will support it better? N

ke him all to yourself! forgive, console him! I will not have the misery of involving h

ultingly to her son, "See," she added, "how great a woman can act, when stimulated by generosity, and a just sense of dut

ens our union, that is not imaginary? In the general commerce of the world it may be right to yield to its prejudices, but in matters of serious importance, it is weakness to be shackled by scruples so frivolous, and it is cowar

appiness would endure? How long could you live contented by mere self-gratification, in defian

d he, starting and shuddering, "O

by the prospect of his disclaiming you, think but what you will feel when first forbid to appe

nestness, "to disgrace her,-to be banished by you,-pre

ur nobler feelings are only obscured, not extirpated; think, then, how they will all rise in revenge of your insul

nterrupted he, "this i

ere you proceed, and anticipate your sensations, lest the shock should wholly overcome you. How will the blood of your wronged ancestors rise into

ould have retired, but feared irritating him to some extravagance; and Mrs Delvile, looking after him, added "For myself,

ort of rage; "cease, cease to distract m

I know again my Mortimer! now I see the fair promise of his uprigh

on their reconciliation; but having only said "Let me, too,-" her voice failed her,

is sensibility, broke from his mother, and seizing her ha

ith quickness; "let me pas

I have injured your peace,-if that heart, which, pure as angels, deserves to be as sacr

terrupted she, w

dful sacrifice gives lasting torture only to myself,-if of your re

, "I have no right to expect escaping all calamity, but while

watch you!" cried he, and letting go h

to Cecilia, and folding her in her arms; "Noble, incomparable young cre

hat shewed her inability to converse with her, she hastened, though scarce able to support herself, away, with intention to shut herself up in her own apartment: and Mrs D

urther; for there she beheld Delvile, who in too great agony to be s

ut perceiving Cecilia, and discerning her situation, he more hast

motion with her hand to say n

"you are pale!-Oh Miss Beve

at she answered, "I am quite well,-pray go,-

t!" exclaimed he, "it

ituation in which she saw them: Cecilia again moved on, and reached

ied he; "you are not able to sta

she, in faltering accents, "but if

the parlour, finding by her shaking frame, the

by this return; and the moment they re-entered the parlour, sh

ut, reviving in a few moments, and blushing at the weakness she had betrayed, she raised her head, and, with an assumed serenit

was giddy, and again seating herself, she forced a fa

loved Cecilia! forgive my rash declaration, which I hear retract and forswear, and which

air of haughty displeasure, "if you cannot be rational, a

stantly obeyed her by rising; but her son, who inherited a portion of her own spirit, rushed between them both and the door, and exclaimed, "Stay, madam, stay! I cannot

e encreasing disturbance of her soul; "I have but too long talked to you in vain;

ng forward, and snatching the hand of Cecilia from his mother, he exclaimed, "I cannot, I will not give her up!-nor n

hus peremptory, rose in the face of Mrs Delvile, who, striking her hand up

she had only flown into the next parlour; but, upon following her thither, what was his dread and his alarm, when he saw her extended, upon the floor, her face, hands and neck all cove

ead, and indignantly made a motion with he

mind to ring the bell. A servant came immediately; and Delvile, starting up fro

he ground, and seated in a chair; she was still silent, but shewed a disgust to any assistance from her son, that

s, venture to approach her: uncertain what had happened, she yet considered herself as the ultima

m; and Delvile, in still greater agitation, followed her quick into the next parlour; but having eagerly advanced to speak to her, he t

ed words unnecessary; the surgeon understood him, and said, "The lady will do very well; she has burst a blood vessel, but I th

il, however great, was less than he had at first apprehended. He then went into the parlour t

troyed her, and her frame is too weak for this struggle of contending passions;-go to her, then, and calm the tu

; "I have been preparing myself for that purpose, a

tantly," said Cecilia; "th

seated upon an arm chair, and resting her head upon the shoulder of a mai

s sight, its wonted fire, darted upon him a glance of such displeasure, that, shuddering with the apprehension of inflaming again those passions which threa

; you need not speak it, we know it, and here so

pon our plighted honours, and think only of your

ook of mingled compassion and obligation, and dropping her head upon the bosom of Ceci

"you have said all that is necessary; leave Mr

d begun, was prevailed upon by the prayers of Cecilia to consent to be conveyed into her room; and, as her immediate removal to another house might

passed to Mrs Charlton; but was told by one of the servants t

; but recollecting it was right to acquaint him with his

ing post to Dr Lyster, whom I shall entreat to come hither instantly; but I am fearful of agai

ail with her to continue with me till Dr Lyster's arrival; after which she will, do

his house,-unless, indeed, Dr Lyster's account should be alarming. I leave my mother, therefore, to your kindness, and only ho

s struggle with himself to be gone: "The promise you have made in both our names to my mother, I shall hold myself bound to observe. I see, indeed, that her reason or her life would fall the sa

and faint smile; "lose not, therefore, an

submitted; I have reproached, where I ought in candour to have approved; and in the vehemence with which I have pursued you, I have censured that very dignity of conduct which has been the basis of my admiration, my esteem, my devotion! but never can I forget, and never without fresh wonder remember, t

have never offended me; I always knew-always was

an indulgence I shall ever revere, and ever grieve to have abused. I ask you not to remember me,-far, far happier do I wish you than such a remembrance could make you; but I will pain the humanity of your disposition

hear, at least, of your tranquillity, for that alone can ha

retreated, and ra

s Charlton, she forgot her own design of apologizing to one, or assisting the other: she continu