Cecilia; Or Memoirs of an Heiress — Volume 2 Read online

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  CECILIA

  or

  MEMOIRS OF AN HEIRESS

  VOLUME II (of III)

  By Frances Burney

  Edited by R. Brimley Johnson

  Illustrated by M. Cubitt Cooke (Illustrations not available in thisedition)

  CONTENTS

  BOOK IV. Continued.

  CHAPTER x. -- A MURMURING.

  BOOK V.

  CHAPTER i. -- A ROUT.

  CHAPTER ii. -- A BROAD HINT.

  CHAPTER iii. -- AN ACCOMMODATION.

  CHAPTER iv. -- A DETECTION.

  CHAPTER v. -- A SARCASM.

  CHAPTER vi. -- A SURMISE.

  CHAPTER vii. -- A BOLD STROKE.

  CHAPTER viii. -- A MISER'S MANSION.

  CHAPTER ix. -- A DECLARATION.

  CHAPTER x. -- A GAMESTER'S CONSCIENCE.

  CHAPTER xi. -- A PERSECUTION.

  CHAPTER xii. -- A MAN OF BUSINESS.

  CHAPTER xiii. -- A SOLUTION.

  BOOK VI

  CHAPTER i. -- A DEBATE.

  CHAPTER ii. -- A RAILING.

  CHAPTER iii. -- AN ANTIQUE MANSION.

  CHAPTER iv. -- A RATTLE.

  CHAPTER v. -- A STORM.

  CHAPTER vi. -- A MYSTERY.

  CHAPTER vii. -- AN ANECDOTE.

  CHAPTER viii. -- A CONFERENCE.

  CHAPTER ix. -- AN ATTACK.

  CHAPTER x. -- A RETREAT.

  CHAPTER xi. -- A WORRY.

  BOOK VII.

  CHAPTER i. -- A RENOVATION.

  CHAPTER ii. -- A VISIT.

  CHAPTER iii. -- AN INCIDENT.

  CHAPTER iv. -- A PROPOSITION.

  CHAPTER v. -- A LETTER.

  CHAPTER vi. -- A DISCUSSION.

  CHAPTER vii. -- A RETROSPECTION.

  CHAPTER viii. -- AN EMBARRASSMENT.

  CHAPTER ix. -- A TORMENT.

  BOOK VIII.

  CHAPTER i

  BOOK IV. Continued.

  CHAPTER x. -- A MURMURING.

  Unable to relieve herself from this perplexity, Cecilia, to divert herchagrin, again visited Miss Belfield. She had then the pleasure to hearthat her brother was much recovered, and had been able, the precedingday, to take an airing, which he had borne so well that Mr Rupil hadcharged him to use the same exercise every morning.

  "And will he?" said Cecilia.

  "No, madam, I am sadly afraid not," she answered, "for coach hire isvery expensive, and we are willing, now, to save all we can in order tohelp fitting him out for going abroad."

  Cecilia then earnestly entreated her to accept some assistance; but sheassured her she did not dare without the consent of her mother, which,however, she undertook to obtain.

  The next day, when Cecilia called to hear her success, Mrs Belfield,who hitherto had kept out of sight, made her appearance. She found her,alike in person, manners and conversation, a coarse and ordinary woman,not more unlike her son in talents and acquired accomplishments, thandissimilar to her daughter in softness and natural delicacy.

  The moment Cecilia was seated, she began, without waiting for anyceremony, or requiring any solicitation, abruptly to talk of heraffairs, and repiningly to relate her misfortunes.

  "I find, madam," she said, "you have been so kind as to visit mydaughter Henny a great many times, but as I have no time for company,I have always kept out of the way, having other things to do than sitstill to talk. I have had a sad time of it here, ma'am, with my poorson's illness, having no conveniencies about me, and much ado to makehim mind me; for he's all for having his own way, poor dear soul, andI'm sure I don't know who could contradict him, for it's what I neverhad the heart to do. But then, ma'am, what is to come of it? You see howbad things go! for though I have got a very good income, it won't do forevery thing. And if it was as much again, I should want to save it allnow. For here my poor son, you see, is reduced all in a minute, as onemay say, from being one of the first gentlemen in the town, to a merepoor object, without a farthing in the world!"

  "He is, however, I hope now much better in his health?" said Cecilia.

  "Yes, madam, thank heaven, for if he was worse, those might tell of itthat would, for I'm sure I should never live to hear of it. He has beenthe best son in the world, madam, and used [to] nothing but the bestcompany, for I spared neither pains nor cost to bring him up genteely,and I believe there's not a nobleman in the land that looks morethe gentleman. However, there's come no good of it, for though hisacquaintances was all among the first quality, he never received thevalue of a penny from the best of them. So I have no great need to beproud. But I meant for the best, though I have often enough wished I hadnot meddled in the matter, but left him to be brought up in the shop, ashis father was before him."

  "His present plan, however," said Cecilia, "will I hope make you ampleamends both for your sufferings and your tenderness."

  "What, madam, when he's going to leave me, and settle in foreign parts?If you was a mother yourself, madam, you would not think that such goodamends."

  "Settle?" said Cecilia. "No, he only goes for a year or two."

  "That's more than I can say, madam, or any body else; and nobody knowswhat may happen in that time. And how I shall keep myself up when he'sbeyond seas, I am sure I don't know, for he has always been the pride ofmy life, and every penny I saved for him, I thought to have been paid inpounds."

  "You will still have your daughter, and she seems so amiable, that I amsure you can want no consolation she will not endeavour to give you."

  "But what is a daughter, madam, to such a son as mine? a son that Ithought to have seen living like a prince, and sending his own coach forme to dine with him! And now he's going to be taken away from me, andnobody knows if I shall live till he comes back. But I may thank myself,for if I had but been content to see him brought up in the shop--yet allthe world would have cried shame upon it, for when he was quite a childin arms, the people used all to say he was born to be a gentleman, andwould live to make many a fine lady's heart ache."

  "If he can but make your heart easy," said Cecilia, smiling, "we willnot grieve that the fine ladies should escape the prophecy."

  "O, ma'am, I don't mean by that to say he has been over gay among theladies, for it's a thing I never heard of him; and I dare say if anylady was to take a fancy to him, she'd find there was not a modesteryoung man in the world. But you must needs think what a hardship it isto me to have him turn out so unlucky, after all I have done for him,when I thought to have seen him at the top of the tree, as one may say!"

  "He will yet, I hope," said Cecilia, "make you rejoice in all yourkindness to him; his health is already returning, and his affairs wearagain a more prosperous aspect."

  "But do you suppose, ma'am, that having him sent two or three hundredmiles away from me; with some young master to take care of, is the wayto make up to me what I have gone through for him? why I used to denymyself every thing in the world, in order to save money to buy him smartcloaths, and let him go to the Opera, and Ranelagh, and such sort ofplaces, that he might keep himself in fortune's way! and now you see theend of it! here he is, in a little shabby room up two pairs of stairs,with not one of the great folks coming near him, to see if he's so muchas dead or alive."

  "I do not wonder," said Cecilia, "that you resent their shewing solittle gratitude for the pleasure and entertainment they have formerlyreceived from him but comfort yourself that it will at least secureyou from any similar disappointment, as Mr Belfield will, in future, beguarded from forming such precarious expectations."

  "But what good will that do me,
ma'am, for all the money he has beenthrowing after them all this while? do you think I would have scraped itup for him, and gone without every thing in the world, to see it all endin this manner? why he might as well have been brought up the commonestjourneyman, for any comfort I shall have of him at this rate. Andsuppose he should be drowned in going beyond seas? what am I to dothen?"

  "You must not," said Cecilia, "indulge such fears; I doubt not but yourson will return well, and return all that you wish."

  "Nobody knows that, ma'am; and the only way to be certain is for him notto go at all; and I'm surprised, ma'am, you can wish him to make such ajourney to nobody knows where, with nothing but a young master that hemust as good as teach his A. B. C. all the way they go!"

  "Certainly," said Cecilia, amazed at this accusation, "I should notwish him to go abroad, if any thing more eligible could be, done by hisremaining in England but as no prospect of that sort seems before him,you must endeavour to reconcile yourself to parting with him."

  "Yes, but how am I to do that, when I don't know if ever I shall see himagain? Who could have thought of his living so among the great folks,and then coming to want! I'm sure I thought they'd have provided forhim like a son of their own, for he used to go about to all the publicplaces just as they did themselves. Day after day I used to be countingfor when he would come to tell me he'd got a place at court, orsomething of that sort, for I never could tell what it would be; andthen the next news I heard, was that he was shut up in this poor bit ofplace, with nobody troubling their heads about him! however, I'll neverbe persuaded but he might have done better, if he would but have spokea good word for himself, or else have let me done it for him; insteadof which, he never would so much as let me see any of his grand friends,though I would not have made the least scruple in the world to haveasked them for any thing he had a mind to."

  Cecilia again endeavoured to give her comfort; but finding her onlysatisfaction was to express her discontent, she arose to take leave.But, turning first to Miss Belfield, contrived to make a privateenquiry whether she might repeat her offer of assistance. A downcast anddejected look answering in the affirmative, she put into her hand a tenpound bank note, and wishing them good morning, hurried out of the room.

  Miss Belfield was running after her, but stopt by her mother, who calledout, "What is it?--How much is it?--Let me look at it!"--And then,following Cecilia herself, she thanked her aloud all the way down stairsfor her genteelness, assuring her she would not fail making it known toher son.

  Cecilia at this declaration turned back, and exhorted her by no meansto mention it; after which she got into her chair, and returned home;pitying Miss Belfield for the unjust partiality shewn to her brother,and excusing the proud shame he had manifested of his relations, fromthe vulgarity and selfishness of her who was at the head of them.

  Almost a fortnight had now elapsed since her explanation with youngDelvile, yet not once had he been in Portman-square, though in thefortnight which had preceded, scarce a day had passed which had notafforded him some pretence for calling there.

  At length a note arrived from Mrs Delvile. It contained the mostflattering reproaches for her long absence, and a pressing invitationthat she would dine and spend the next day with her.

  Cecilia, who had merely denied herself the pleasure of this visit froman apprehension of seeming too desirous of keeping up the connection,now, from the same sense of propriety, determined upon making it,wishing equally to avoid all appearance of consciousness, either byseeking or avoiding the intimacy of the family.

  Not a little was her anxiety to know in what manner young Delvile wouldreceive her, whether he would be grave or gay, agitated, as during theirlast conversation, or easy, as in the meetings which had preceded it.

  She found Mrs Delvile, however, alone; and, extremely kind to her, yetmuch surprised, and half displeased, that she had so long been absent.Cecilia, though somewhat distressed what excuses to offer, was happy tofind herself so highly in favour, and not very reluctant to promise morefrequent visits in future.

  They were then summoned to dinner; but still no young Delvile wasvisible; they were joined only by his father, and she found that no oneelse was expected.

  Her astonishment now was greater than ever, and she could account by nopossible conjecture for a conduct so extraordinary. Hitherto, whenevershe had visited in St James's-square by appointment, the air with whichhe had received her, constantly announced that he had impatiently waitedher arrival; he had given up other engagements to stay with her, hehad openly expressed his hopes that she would never be long absent,and seemed to take a pleasure in her society to which every other wasinferior. And now, how striking the difference! he forbore all visits atthe house where she resided, he even flew from his own when he knew shewas approaching it!

  Nor was this the only vexation of which this day was productive; MrDelvile, when the servants were withdrawn after dinner, expressed someconcern that he had been called from her during their last conversation,and added that he would take the present opportunity to talk with herupon some matters of importance.

  He then began the usual parading prelude, which, upon all occasions, hethought necessary, in order to enhance the value of his interposition,remind her of her inferiority, and impress her with a deeper sense ofthe honour which his guardianship conferred upon her after which, heproceeded to make a formal enquiry whether she had positively dismissedSir Robert Floyer?

  She assured him she had.

  "I understood my Lord Ernolf," said he, "that you had totallydiscouraged the addresses of his son?"

  "Yes, Sir," answered Cecilia, "for I never mean to receive them."

  "Have you, then, any other engagement?"

  "No, Sir," cried she, colouring between shame and displeasure, "none atall."

  "This is a very extraordinary circumstance!" replied he; "the son ofan earl to be rejected by a young woman of no family, and yet no reasonassigned for it!"

  This contemptuous speech so cruelly shocked Cecilia, that though hecontinued to harangue her for a great part of the afternoon, she onlyanswered him when compelled by some question, and was so evidentlydiscomposed, that Mrs Delvile, who perceived her uneasiness with muchconcern, redoubled her civilities and caresses, and used every method inher power to oblige and enliven her.

  Cecilia was not ungrateful for her care, and shewed her sense of it byadded respect and attention; but her mind was disturbed, and she quittedthe house as soon as she was able.

  Mr Delvile's speech, from her previous knowledge of the extremehaughtiness of his character, would not have occasioned her the smallestemotion, had it merely related to him or to herself; but as it concernedLord Ernolf, she regarded it as also concerning his son, and she foundthat, far from trying to promote the union Mr Monckton had told her hehad planned, he did not seem even to think of it, but, on the contrary,proposed and seconded with all his interest another alliance.

  This, added to the behaviour of young Delvile, made her suspect thatsome engagement was in agitation on his own part, and that while shethought him so sedulous only to avoid her, he was simply occupied inseeking another. This painful suggestion, which every thing seemed toconfirm, again overset all her schemes, and destroyed all her visionaryhappiness. Yet how to reconcile it with what had passed at their lastmeeting she knew not; she had then every reason to believe that hisheart was in her power, and that courage, or an opportunity moreseasonable, was all he wanted to make known his devotion to her; why,then, shun if he loved her? why, if he loved her not, seem so perturbedat the explanation of her independence?

  A very little time, however, she hoped would unravel this mystery; intwo days, the entertainment which Mr Harrel had planned, to deceive theworld by an appearance of affluence to which he had lost all title, wasto take place; young Delvile, in common with every other person who hadever been seen at the house, had early received an invitation, which hehad readily promised to accept some time before the conversation thatseemed the period of their acquain
tance had passed. Should he, afterbeing so long engaged, fail to keep his appointment, she could no longerhave any doubt of the justice of her conjecture; should he, on thecontrary, again appear, from his behaviour and his looks she mightperhaps be able to gather why he had so long been absent.

  BOOK V.