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"But how can I tell your business, Sir, if I don't so much as know your name?"

"My business, madam, I mean to tell myself; your affair is only to hear it I have some questions, indeed, to ask, which I must trouble you to answer, but they will sufficiently explain themselves to prevent any difficulty upon your part There is no need, therefore, of any introductory ceremonial"

"Well, Sir," said Mrs Belfield, wholly insensible of this areatness, "if you mean to make your nahtily, "have less the advantage of secrecy thana very few houses in this town to which my person would not immediately announce it That, however, is iood as to rest satisfied with my assurances, that the person horace to your character"

Mrs Belfield, overpowered, though hardly knowing, hat, only said he was very welcoed him to sit down

"Excuse me, ma'am," he answered, "My business is but of athat time You say you have a son; I have heard of hiive o deep into the matter, --but particular family occurrences make it essential forperson of rather a capital fortune, to whom he is supposed to make proposals?"

"Lack-a-day, no, Sir!" answered Mrs Belfield, to the infinite relief of Cecilia, who instantly concluded this question referred to herself

"I beg your pardon, then; goodto you, ma'am," said Mr Delvile, in a tone that spoke his disappoint person, you say, who favours his pretensions?"

"Dear Sir," cried she, "why there's nobody he'll solady at this very tireat fortune, that has as much a mind to him, I tell hi hiht up at the university, and knows 's dominions"

"O, then," cried Mr Delvile, in a voice of farwoman that the difficulty seeain and again only for asking! She caht up, as I said, at the university, he thought he knew better than ood as lost upon him"