Page 26 (1/1)

The evening was already far advanced, and before she arrived at the end of her little journey it was quite dark When they came within atoo suddenly froe The accident, however, occasioned no other , and Cecilia and her maid were helped out of the chaise unhurt The servants, assisted by ait up; and Cecilia, too busy within to be attentive to what passed without, disregarded ent forward, till she heard her footman call for help She then hastily advanced to enquire as the er who had lent his aid, had, by working in the dark, unfortunately slipped his foot under one of the wheels, and so reat pain he could not put it to the ground

Cecilia iht be carried to his own home in the chaise, while she and the maid walked on to Mr Arnott's, attended by her servant on horseback

This little incident proved of singular service to her upon first entering the house; Mrs Harrel was at supper with her brother, and hearing the voice of Cecilia in the hall, hastened with the extremest surprise to enquire what had occasioned so late a visit; followed by Mr Arnott, whose amazement was accompanied with a thousand other sensations too powerful for speech Cecilia, unprepared with any excuse, instantly related the adventure she had met with on the road, which quieted their curiosity, by turning their attention to her personal safety They ordered a rooo to rest with all speed, and postpone any further account till the next day With this request she ladly complied, happy to be spared the embarrassue of conversation Her night was restless and ht was never a hts, and to hear whether he would obey or oppose his mother was her incessant wish She was fixt, however, to be faithful in refusing to see hi new fro Mrs Harrel caer to learn why, after invitations repeatedly refused, she was thus suddenly arrived without any; and she was still er to talk of herself, and relate the weary life she led thus shut up in the country, and confined to the society of her brother