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They were soon summoned upstairs into the apart upon a couch, pale, weak, and , "Here,peace and pleasure to you!"

"This, indeed," cried Mrs Delvile, half rising and e her, "is the form in which they are most welcome to me! virtuous, noble Cecilia! what honour you do my son! hat joy, should I ever recover, shall I assist hirieved at her situation, and affected by her kindness, could only ansith her tears; which, however, were not shed alone; for Delvile's eyes were full, as he passionately exclai desired! the wife of my choice taken to the bosom of the parent I revere! be yet but well, my beloved mother, and I will be thankful for every calamity that has led to so sweet a conclusion!"

"Content yourself, however, ; "and content yourself, if you can, though your hard lot should make that one this creature of full bloom, health, and youth! Ah,the still weeping Cecilia, "should now Morti me, lose those cares by which alone, for some months past, my life has been rendered tolerable, how peaceably shall I resign him to one so able to recompense his filial patience and services!"

This was not a speech to stop the tears of Cecilia, though such warmth of approbation quieted her conscientious scruples Delvile now earnestly interfered; he told her that his mother had been ordered not to talk or exert herself, and entreated her to be composed, and his mother to be silent

"Be it your business, then," said Mrs Delvile, aily, "to find us entertainment We will promise to be very still if you will take that trouble upon yourself"

"I will not," answered he, "be rallied fro to weary you, for thata better purpose"

"Mortienuity of duty or of love? and which are you just now thinking of, my health, or a conversation uninterrupted with Miss Beverley?"

"Perhaps a little of both!" said he, chearfully, though colouring

"But you ratheronly of me? I have always observed, that where one scheme answers two purposes, the ostensive is never the purpose most at heart"