Page 16 (1/1)

As soon as they lost sight of the house, Cecilia expressed her surprise at the behaviour of the old gentleeneral silence, seclusion froly excited her curiosity

Mr Harrel could give her very little satisfaction: he told her that he had twice or thrice ularity of his manners and appearance, but that he had never discoursed with anyone to whom he seemed known; and that he was as e a character at the house of Mr Monckton

The conversation then turned upon the faood opinion she had of Mr Monckton, the obligations she owed to him for the interest which, from her childhood, he had always taken in her affairs; and her hopes of reaping much instruction froe of the world

Mr Harrel professed himself well satisfied that she should have such a counsellor; for though but little acquainted with him, he kneas a man of fortune and fashion, and well esteemed in the world They mutually compassionated his unhappy situation in domestic life, and Cecilia innocently expressed her concern at the dislike Lady Margaret seemed to have taken to her; a dislike which Mr Harrel naturally enough i any cause eneral jealousy of attractions of which she had herself so long outlived the possession

As their journey drew near to its conclusion, all the uneasy and disagreeable sensations which in the bosoave way to the expectation of quick approaching happiness in againfriend

Mrs Harrel had in childhood been her playmate, and in youth her school-fellow; a similarity of disposition with respect to sweetness of teh the rese no pretensions to the wit or understanding of her friend; but she was a affection, though neither blazing with attractions which laid claim to adle respect in the love they inspire

Froe, which was near three years, she had entirely quitted Suffolk, and had had no intercourse with Cecilia but by letter She was now just returned froiven by Mr Harrel to a villa about twelve e party of company she had spent the Christmas holidays