And why should he write to her? what was his pretence? That he loved her she could now less than ever believe, since his late conduct to herself, though perplexing and inconsistent, evinced at least a partiality incompatible with a passion for another. What then could she infer, but that he had seduced her affections, and ruined her peace, for the idle and cruel gratification of temporary vanity?

"And if such," cried she, "is the depravity of this accomplished hypocrite, if such is the littleness of soul that a manner so noble disguises, shall he next, urged, perhaps, rather by prudence than preference, make me the object of his pursuit, and the food of his vain-glory? And shall I, warned and instructed as I am, be as easy a prey, and as wretched a dupe? No, I will be better satisfied with his conduct, before I venture to trust him, and since I am richer than Henrietta, and less likely to be deserted, when won, I will be more on my guard to know why I am addressed, and vindicate the rights of innocence, if I find she has been thus deluded, by forgetting his talents in his treachery, and renouncing him for ever!

Such were the reflections and surmises that dampt all the long-sought pleasure of her change of residence, and made her habitation in St. James's-square no happier than it had been at Mr. Harrel's!

She dined again with only Mr. and Mrs. Delvile, and did not see their son all day; which, in her present uncertainty what to think of him, was an absence she scarcely regretted.

When the servants retired, Mr. Delvile told her that he had that morning received two visits upon her account, both from admirers, who each pretended to having had leave to wait upon her from Mr. Harrel.

He then named Sir Robert Floyer and Mr. Marriot.

"I believe, indeed," said Cecilia, "that neither of them were treated perfectly well; to me, however, their own behaviour has by no means been strictly honourable. I have always, when referred to, been very explicit; and what other methods they were pleased to take, I cannot wonder should fail."

"I told them," said Mr. Delvile, "that, since you were now under my roof, I could not refuse to receive their proposals, especially as there would be no impropriety in

your alliance with either of them: but I told them, at the same time, that I could by no means think of pressing their suit, as that was an office which, however well it might do for Mr. Harrel, would be totally improper and unbecoming for me."

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Certainly," said Cecilia, "and permit me, sir, to entreat that, should they again apply to you, they may be wholly discouraged from repeating their visits, and assured that far from having trifled with them hitherto, the resolutions I have declared will never be varied."

"I am happy," said Mrs. Delvile, "to see so much spirit and discernment where arts of all sorts will be practised to ensnare and delude. Fortune and independence were never so securely lodged as in Miss Beverley, and I doubt not but her choice, whenever it is decided, will reflect as much honour upon her heart, as her difficulty in making it does upon her understanding."

Mr. Delvile then enquired whether she had fixed upon any person to choose as a guardian in the place of Mr. Harrel. No, she said, nor should she, unless it were absolutely necessary.

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"I believe, indeed," said Mrs. Delvile, "your affairs will not much miss him! Since I have heard of the excess of his extravagance, I have extremely rejoiced in the uncommon prudence and sagacity of his fair ward, who, in such dangerous hands, with less penetration and sound sense, might have been drawn into a thousand difficulties, and perhaps defrauded of half her fortune."

Cecilia received but little joy from this most unseasonable compliment, which, with many of the same sort that were frequently, though accidentally made, intimidated her from the confession she had planned: and finding nothing but censure was likely to follow the discovery, she at length determined to give it up wholly, unless any connection should take place which might render necessary its avowal. Yet something she could not but murmur, that an action so detrimental to her own interest, and which, at the time, appeared indispensable to her benevolence, should now be considered as a mark of such folly and imprudence that she did not dare own it.

THE

CHAPTER IX.

A RAILING.

HE next morning the family purposed setting off as soon as breakfast was over: young Delvile, however, waited not so long; the fineness of the weather tempted him, he said, to travel on horseback, and therefore he had risen very early, and was already gone. Cecilia could not but wonder, yet did not repine.

Just as breakfast was over, and Mr. and Mrs. Delvile and Cecilia were preparing to depart, to their no little surprise, the door was opened, and, out of breath with haste and with heat, in stumpt Mr. Briggs! "So," cried he to Cecilia, "what's all this? hay ?-where are going ?-a coach at the door! horses to every wheel! servants fine as lords! what's in the wind now? think to chouse me out of my belongings ?"

"I thought, sir," said Cecilia, who instantly understood. him, though Mr. and Mrs. Delvile stared at him in utter astonishment, "I had explained before I left you that I should not return."

"Did n't, did n't!" answered he, angrily; "waited for you three days, dressed a breast o' mutton o' purpose; got in a lobster, and two crabs; all spoilt by keeping; stink already; weather quite muggy, forced to souse 'em in vinegar; one expense brings on another; never begin the agen.'

like

"I am very sorry, indeed," said Cecilia, much disconcerted, "if there has been any mistake through my neglect; but I had hoped I was understood, and I have been so much occupied

1

"Ay, ay," interrupted he, "fine work! rare doings! a

“What disputes, too,' said Mrs. Chapone, there are about Briggs. I was in a room some time ago where somebody said there could be no such character; and a poor little mean city man, who was there, started up and said, But there is though, for Ï'se one myself!'"--Diary Mme. D'Arblay, p. 257, vol. ii.

merry Vauxhalling, with pistols at all your noddles! thought as much! thought he'd tip the perch; saw he was n't stanch; knew he'd go by his company, a set of jackanapes! all black-legs! nobody warm among 'em : fellows with a month's good living upon their backs, and not sixpence for the hangman in their pockets!"

Mrs. Delvile, now, with a look of arch congratulation at Cecilia as the object of this agreeable visit, finding it not likely to be immediately concluded, returned to her chair: but Mr. Delvile, leaning sternly upon his cane, moved not from the spot where he stood at his entrance, but surveyed him from head to foot, with the most astonishing contempt at his undaunted vulgarity.

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'Well, I'd all your cash myself; seized that else!—run out the constable for you, next, and made you blow out your brains for company. Mind what I say, never give your mind to a gold laced hat! many a-one wears it don't know five farthings from two-pence. A good man always wears a bob wig; make that your rule. Ever see Master Harrel wear such a thing? No, I'll warrant! Better if he had kept his head on his own shoulders. And now, pray, how does he cut up? what has he left behind him? a twey-case,' I suppose, and a bit of a hat won't go on a man's head!"

Cecilia, perceiving, with great confusion, that Mr. Delvile, though evidently provoked by this intrusion, would not deign to speak, that Mr. Briggs might be regarded as belonging wholly to herself, hastily said, "I will not, sir, as your time is precious, detain you here, but, as soon as it is in my power, I will wait upon you in the city."

Mr. Briggs, however, without listening to her, thought proper to continue his harangue.

"Invited me once to his house; sent me a card, half of it printed like a book! t'other half a scrawl could not read; pretended to give a supper; all a mere bam; went without my dinner, and got nothing to eat; all glass and show victuals painted all manner o' colours; lighted up like a pastry-cook on twelfth-day; wanted something solid, and

'An étui is a closely fitting case for anything, from a hat down to needles. A gentleman's "twey-case" was most likely a narrow, oblong, pocket-case, containing a little mirror, tweezers, and so forth.

got a great lump of sweatmeat; found it as cold as a stone, all froze in my mouth like ice; made me jump again, and brought the tears in my eyes; forced to spit it out; believe it was nothing but a snow-ball, just set up for show, and covered over with a little sugar. Pretty way to spend money! Stuffing, and piping, and hopping! never could rest till every farthing was gone; nothing left but his own fool's pate, and even that he could not hold together." "At present, sir," said Cecilia, we are all going out of town; the carriage is waiting at the door, and therefore

"No such thing," cried he; " Sha'n't go; come for you myself; take you to my own house. Got everything ready, been to the broker's, bought a nice blanket, hardly a brack1 in it. Pick up a table soon; one in my eye."

"I am sorry you have so totally mistaken me, sir; for I am now going into the country with Mr. and Mrs. Delvile."

"Won't consent, won't consent! what will you go there for? hear of nothing but dead dukes; as well visit an old tomb."

Here Mr. Delvile, who felt himself insulted in a manner he could least support, after looking at him very disdainfully, turned to Cecilia, and said "Miss Beverley, if this person wishes for a longer conference with you, I am sorry you did not appoint a more seasonable hour for your interview."

'Ay, ay," cried the impenetrable Mr. Briggs; "want to hurry her off! see that! But t'won't do ; a'n't to be nicked; choose to come in for my thirds; won't be gulled, shan't have more than your share."

"Sir! cried Mr. Delvile, with a look meant to be nothing less than petrific.

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What! cried he, with an arch leer; all above it, hay? warrant your Spanish Don never thinks of such a thing! don't believe 'em, my duck! great cry and little wool; no more of the ready than other folks; mere puff and go one."

"This is language, sir," said Mr. Delvile, "so utterly

1 "A brack," a fault, or flaw.