Page 206 (1/1)

"And quickly?"

"Irace is known? and while allyou wish!"

"Swear, then!"

Here Cecilia drew back; her recollection returned as her terror abated, and her repugnance to entering into an engagement for she knew not what, with a man whose actions she condeht now give way to indignation, and, after a short pause, she angrily answered, "No, Sir, I will not swear!--but yet, all that is reasonable, all that is friendly--"

"Hear me swear, then!" interrupted he, furiously, "which at thisinfernal, that I will not outlive the seizure of my property, and that the moment I am informed there is an execution in my house, shall be the last of my existence!"

"What cruelty! what coive me, however, that horrible instrument, and prescribe to me what conditions you please"

A noise was now heard below stairs, at which Cecilia, who had not dared call for help lest he should quicken his desperation, was secretly beginning to rejoice, when, starting at the sound, he exclaimed, "I believe you are too late!--the ruffians have already seizedto force her out of the rooive me first," cried she, "that weapon, and I will take what oath you please!"

"No, no!--go,--leave me,--" cried he, almost breathless with emotion, "I must not now be trifled with"

"I do not trifle! indeed I do not!" cried Cecilia, holding by his arm: "try, put me to the proof!"

"Swear, solemnly swear, to empty my house of these creditors this y, "and Heaven prosper el!" cried he, rapturously, "and as such I worship and adore you! O you have restored me to life, and rescued me from perdition!"

"Give me, then, that fatal instru, since so many others are inthe to me,--send immediately for the Jew!--he will advance what money you please,--my man knohere to find him; consult with Mr Arnott,--speak a word of co at all, till you have cleared my house of those cursed scoundrels!"

Cecilia, whose heart sunk within her at the soleiven, the mention of the Jew, and the arduous task she had undertaken, quitted hi to her own room, to compose her hurried spirits, and consider what steps she had to take, when hearing the noise in the hall grow louder, she stopt to listen, and catching soreatly alarmed her, went half way down stairs, when she was met by Davison, Mr Harrel's man, of whom she enquired into the occasion of the disturbance