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Henrietta, whohted and disturbed, whom the behaviour of Cecilia had filled onder and consternation, and whom the evident inquietude and disappointiven to Delvile, had struck with grief and terror, could not s even a ave it, untouched, to a servant

Mrs Harrel, however, though she had had her share in the surprise, had wholly escaped all other emotion; and only concluded in her own mind, that Cecilia could sometimes be out of humour and ill bred, as well as the rest of the world

While the dessert was serving, a note was brought to Henrietta, which a servant aiting in great haste to have answered

Henrietta, stranger to all for and delicate, opened it immediately; she started as she cast her eye over it, but blushed, sparkled, and looked enchanted, and hastily rising, without even a thought of any apology, ran out of the roolance unavoidable, had seen the hand of Delvile, was filled with new aone, she begged Mrs Harrel to excuse her, and went to her own apartment

Here, in a few minutes, she was followed by Henrietta, whose countenance beaht "My dear, dear Miss Beverley!" she cried, "I have such a thing to tell you!--you would never guess it,--I don't kno to believe it myself,--but Mr Delvile has written to me!--he has indeed! that note was fro it up, for fear of accidents, but I'll run and fetch it, that youCecilia rieved and alarmed for the too tender, too susceptible Henrietta, as thus easily the sport of every airy and credulous hope

"If I did not shew it you," cried Henrietta, running back in a moment, "you would never think it possible, for it is to htened me almost out of my wits!"

Cecilia then read the note

To Miss Belfield

Mr Delvile presents his cos to be permitted to wait upon her for a few ood as to appoint

"Only think," cried the rapturous Henrietta, "it was me, poor simple me, of all people, that he wanted so to speak with!--I aht when he went away! but do, dearest Miss Beverley, tell , what do you think he can have to say to me?"