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"I find," cried Cecilia, in whoer, "I have been too hasty; I did indeed believe Mrs Delvile would never authorise such a visit; but as you have so ht to your pardon for a little doubt"

"There spoke Miss Beverley!" cried Delvile, reaniy, "the same, the unaltered Miss Beverley I hoped to find!--yet is she unaltered? am I not too precipitate? and is the tale I have heard about Belfield a dream? an error? a falsehood?"

"But that so quick a succession of quarrels," said Cecilia, half s, "would be endless perplexity, I, noould be affronted that you can ask ht it a question," cried he, "I would not have asked it: but never for a our of your repulse alarmed me You have condescended, now, to account for that, and I aed tothis visit Yet not with confidence shall I speak if, scarce even with hope!--it is a purpose that is the offspring of despair,-"One thing, Sir," cried Cecilia, who now becaain, "let me say before you proceed; if your purpose has not the sanction of Mrs Delvile, as well as your visit, I would gladly be excused hearing it, since I shall ," answered he, "without her concurrence; she has given it me: and my father himself has permitted my present application"

"Good Heaven!" cried Cecilia, "is it possible!" clasping her hands together in the eagerness of her surprise and delight

"Is it possible!" repeated Delvile, with a look of rapture; "ah Miss Beverley!--once my own Cecilia!--do you, can you wish it possible?"

"No, No!" cried she, while pleasure and expectation sparkled in her eyes, "I wish nothing about it--Yet tell , "though not interested in it"

"What hope would this sweetness give me," cried he, "were my scheme almost any other than it is!--but you cannot,--no, it would be unreasonable, it would be madness to expect your compliance!--it is next to madness even in me to wish it,--but how shall a man who is desperate be prudent and circuenuous Cecilia, "this, unnecessary pain!--you will find from me no unnecessary scruples"

"You know not what you say!--all noble as you are, the sacrifice I have to propose--"