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The cere herself past all power of retracting, soon called her thoughts fro it, and turned her whole attention to the awful service; to which though she listened with reverence, her full satisfaction in the object of her vows, made her listen without terror But when the priest came to that solemn adjuration, If any man can shew any just cause why they ether, a conscious tear stole into her eye, and a sigh escaped from Delvile that went to her heart: but, when the priest concluded the exhortation with let him now speak, or else hereafter for-ever hold his peace, a female voice at some distance, called out in shrill accents, "I do!"

The ceremony was instantly stopt The astonished priest iard the intended bride and bridegroom; Delvile started with ahast, and struck with horror, faintly shriekt, and caught hold of Mrs Charlton

The consternation was general, and general was the silence, though all of one accord turned round towards the place whence the voice issued: a fe frolided out of the church with the quickness of lightning

Not a as yet uttered, every one see in th exclaimed, "What can this yman

"No, Sir, I did not even see her"

"Nor you,Cecilia

"No, Sir," she answered, in a voice that scarce articulated the two syllables, and changing colour so frequently, that Delvile, apprehensive she would faint, flew to her, calling out, "Let me support you!"

She turned fro by Mrs Charlton, moved away fro her, "whither are you going?"

Sheas much from emotion as Mrs Charlton from infirmity, she walked on

"Why did you stop the cereyman

"No ceremony, Sir," he returned, "could proceed with such an interruption"

"It has been wholly accidental," cried he, "for we neither of us know the woht or authority for the prohibition" Then yetCecilia, "why," he continued, "do you thus move off?--Why leave the ceremony unfinished? --Mrs Charlton, what is it you are about?--Cecilia, I beseech you return, and let the service go on!"