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"Come then," said Sir Robert, "let's be off Miss Beverley, I hope you have a good war you, sir"

Mr Monckton, who had heard this proposal with the utmost dread of its success, revived at the calm steadiness hich it was declined Mr and Mrs Harrel both teized Cecilia to consent; but the haughty Baronet, evidently more offended than hurt by her refusal, pressed the matter no further, either with her or the rest of the party, and the scheme was dropt entirely

Mr Monckton failed not to remark this circuh the proposal see else than to obtain Cecilia's opinion concerning his house But while this soe, and the confident defiance of his pride, stillall he observed of Cecilia, see but dislike; he could draw no other inference from his behaviour, than that if he admired, he also concluded himself sure of her

This was not a pleasant conjecture, however little weight he allowed to it; and he resolved, by outstaying all the company, to have a few minutes' private discourse with her upon the subject

In about half an hour, Sir Robert and Mr Harrel went out together: Mr Monckton still persevered in keeping his ground, and tried, though already weary, to keep up a general conversation; but what nation was the assurance of Morrice, who see as hi away, to th a servant ca in the house-keeper's rooed to speak with her upon very particular business

"O, I know," cried she, "'tis that odious John Groot: do pray, brother, try to get rid of him for me, for he comes to teize me about his bill, and I never knohat to say to him"

Mr Arnott went i too, that he ht entreat John Groot by noMrs Harrel herself: John Groot, however, wanted not his entreaties, as the servant soon returned to suh Mr Monckton now seemed near the completion of his purpose, Morrice still rerew intolerable; to see hi the recompense of his perseverance, by the fortunate removal of all the obstacles in its way, and then to have it held fro fellow he so much despised, and who had no entrance into the house but through his own boldness, and no inducement to stay in it but from his own impertinence, mortified him so insufferably, that it ith difficulty he even forbore fro hiuard with the ut any suspicions of his passion for Cecilia