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To apply again to Mr Delvile to hear her vindication, was to subject herself to insolence, and alnity She disdained even to write to him, since his behaviour called for resenterness to be heard, in opposition to all discourage a meanness that would almost merit repulsion

Her first inclination was to write to Mrs Delvile, but what now, to her, was either her defence or accusation? She had solemnly renounced all further intercourse with her, she had declared against writing again, and prohibited her letters: and, therefore, after much fluctuation of opinion, her delicacy concurred with her judgment, to conclude it would be most proper, in a situation so intricate, to leave the matter to chance, and co, while she was at tea with Lady Margaret and Miss Bennet, she was suddenly called out to speak to a young woreat surprise, she was no other than Henrietta

"Ah ! it has o out of toithout forgiving one out to tea, and I have run here all alone, and in the dark, and in the wet, to beg and pray you will forgive irl!" cried Cecilia, affectionately eer I a, such softness as this would banish it, and make me love you more than ever!"

Henrietta then said, in her excuse, that she had thought herself quite sure of her brother's absence, who almost always spent the whole day at the bookseller's, as in writing himself he perpetually wanted to consult other authors, and had very few books at their lodgings: but she would not mention that the roo use of it, and she knew she had no other chance of having the conversation with her she had so very long wished for She then again begged her pardon, and hoped the behaviour of her ive her up, as she was shocked at it beyond measure, and as her brother, she assured her, was as innocent of it as herself

Cecilia heard her with pleasure, and felt for her an encreasing regard The openness of her confidence in the ave her the warmest protestations of a friendship which she was certain would be lasting as her life