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The spring was now advancing, and the weather was re with Mrs Harrel and Henrietta on the lawn before her house, to which the last dinner bell was just su theht of a gentle towards the and leaving his horse to his servant, struck the Delvile!

A sight so unexpected, so unaccountable, so wonderful, after an absence so long, and to which they were mutually bound, almost wholly over- powered Cecilia froht Mrs Harrel by the ar what she did, as if for succour; while Henrietta with scarce less, though lad e forward to meet him

He had reached them, and in a voice that spoke hurry and perturbation, respectfully made his compliments to them all, before Cecilia recovered even the use of her feet: but no sooner were they restored to her, than she employed the upon Mrs Harrel, to hasten into the house Her solehts, and her surprise was soon succeeded by displeasure, that thus, without any preparation, he forced her to break it by an interview she had no means to prevent

Just as they reached the entrance into the house, the Butler came to tell Cecilia that dinner was upon the table Delvile then went up to her, and said, "May I wait upon you for one instant before--or after you dine?"

"I ah hardly able to speak, "for the whole day"

"You will not, I hope, refuse to hear erly, "I cannot write what I have to say,--"

"There is no occasion that you should, Sir," interrupted she, "since I should scarcely find ti at hi in utter dis, to follow her But when Mrs Harrel, much surprised at behaviour so unusual from Cecilia, approached hiood day, bowed, and remounted his horse: pursued by the soft eyes of Henrietta till wholly out of sight

They then both followed Cecilia to the dining-parlour

Had not Mrs Harrel been of this small party, the dinner would have been served in vain; Cecilia, still trery with Delvile for thus surprising her, angry with herself for so severely receiving him, amazed what had tereement, and irresolute as much what to wish as what to think, was little disposed for eating, and with difficulty compelled herself to do the honours of her table