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Cecilia ell knew the honourable e in his vindication Dr Lyster ian an answer, but before he had finished it, called out, "Now as I a woman, I think you can do no less than assistthe ht to visit his sick mother"

Cecilia, much hurt for Delvile, and much confused for herself, looked abashed, but knew not what to answer

"My scheme," continued the doctor, "is to tell hiement for tea, he may find another for supper; but that as tome to yourself Come, what says etiquette? may I treat myself with this puff?"

"Certainly," said Cecilia, endeavouring to look pleased, "if you will favour us with your co should rather be ours than yours"

"That, then," said the doctor, "will not answer my purpose, for I mean the puff to be my own, or how do I punish him? So, suppose I tell hi ladies, but be invited to a tete-a-tete with one of thehed, and the doctor finished his note, and sent it away; and then, turning gaily to Cecilia, "Coive uilty of perjury?"

Cecilia, but little disposed for pleasantry, would gladly now have dropt the subject; but Dr Lyster, turning to the Miss Charltons, said, "Young ladies, I call you both to witness if this is not very bad usage: this young woht falsehood, and all the time took me in to believe it was a truth The only way I can think of to cure her of such frolics, is for both of you to leave us together, and so make her keep her hether she will or no"

The Miss Charltons took the hint, and went ahile Cecilia, who had not at all suspected he meant seriously to speak with her, remained extremely perplexed to think what he had to say

"Mrs Delvile," cried he, continuing the sah I allowed her not to speak to me above twenty words, took up near ten of theel Why so she ought, cried I; what else was she sent for here to look so like one? I charged her, therefore, to take all that as a thing of course; and to prove that I really think what I say, I a less, will induce you to order some of your men to drive me into the street The truth is, I have had a little coiven me, which in the first place I know not how to introduce, and which, in the second, as far as I can judge, appears to be absolutely superfluous"