Cecilia, Volume 2 (of 3)

ide and from prudence she forbore to seek for herself, when one morning, while she was sitting with Miss Belfield, he

ither, from the yet greater surprise she received by the behaviour of Miss Belfield, who hastily arisin

ften," answered C

ent, I believe,-but it's very-it's extremely-I did n

ssion of Cecilia, and absorbed in thought, she

ned by her maid, who asked if

ry or consideration, hastened down stairs; but when she entered the apartment where young Delvi

is visit, and so totally forgetting even the reason why he made it, that he had taken his leave and was departing before he recollected it. He then turned back, forcing a laugh a

Vannelt, who had already heard him very advantageously spoken of by some gentlemen to whom he had been known at the University, and who was so much pleased with him upon

rouble he had taken in this transaction; a

be after finding that hope disappointed. But much as she has taught her son, there is one lesson she might perh

ed, and mad

ia had already been thrown. It occurred to her that under the sanction of his mother's name, he had taken an opportunity of making an apology for his own conduct; yet why avoidin

tening back to her; but when she came into the room, she found her employed in looking out of the windo

her any interruption. She drew her head back in a few minutes, and casting it upwards, with her hands c

t accents, "Oh why art thou gone! sweetest and noblest of men! why might I no

st blushes overspread the cheeks of both as their eyes met each other, and while Miss Belfield

e succeeded, which was only broken by

ng, and tenderly approaching, embraced her with the utmost kindness; but still s

Ah madam! who ought to be unhappy if befriended by you! if I could help it, I would love nobody else in

any opposition, embraced her again

xcept during her recent suspence, had preserved her tranquility inviolate; but her commerce with the world had been small and confined, and her actions had had little reference

felt no pleasure but in her society, and looked forward to much future comfort from the continuance of her regard, and from their constantly living together; but now this was no longer ev

ed her infinitely more to fear some higher rival, than to believe he bestowed even a thought upon the poor Henrietta; but still she wished with the utmost ardour to know

but she doubted if she had any right to accept such a confidence. Miss Belfield, she was sure, knew not she was interested in the tale, since she had not even imagined that Delvile was known to he

th young Delvile, Miss Belfield she was sure could not have any; neither her birth nor education fitted her for his rank in life, and

sweet, but unhappy girl shall tell me nothing; betrayed already by the tenderness of her own heart, she shall at least suffer no further from any duplicity in mine. If, indeed, Mr Delvile, as I suspect, is engaged elsewhere, I will make this gentle Henrietta the object of my future solicitude; the sympathy of our situations will not then divide but unite us, and I will take her to my bosom, hear all her sorrow

ht not, hereafter, be suspected of selfish motives; but yet, from a real regard to the tender-hearted girl, to give all the

nce; her better judgment, however, soon led her from so hazardous a plan, which could only have exposed them both

self, and contrived, under various pretences, to keep her maid in the room. Miss Belfield, supposing this to be accidental, rejoiced in her imaginary reprieve, and soon recovered her usual chearfulness; and Cecilia, who really meant t