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As soon as they returned hoed Mrs Harrel not to lose a moment before she tried to acquaint Mr Harrel with the state of the affair But that lady was too helpless to knohat manner to set about it; she could not tell where he was, she could not conjecture where hefor his own man, and upon enquiry, heard that he was, in all probability, at Brookes's in St Jaed Mrs Harrel would write to him

Mrs Harrel knew not what to say

Cecilia therefore, equally quick in forns, wrote to hi an instant he would find out his friend Sir Robert Floyer, and endeavour to effect an accommodation between him and Mr Belfield, hom he had had a dispute at the Opera-house

The man soon returned with an answer that Mr Harrel would not fail to obey her commands

She determined to sit up till he caociation She considered herself as the efficient cause of the quarrel, yet scarce kne or in what to blame herself; the behaviour of Sir Robert had always been offensive to her; she disliked his manners, and detested his boldness; and she had already shewn her intention to accept the assistance of Mr Belfield before he had followed her with an offer of his own She was uncertain, indeed, whether he had remarked what had passed, but she had reason to think that, so circued her purpose, would have been construed into an encourageht have authorised his future presuard to herself, anting the presence of mind to have refused the civilities of both

Mrs Harrel, though really sorry at the state of the affair, regarded herself as so entirely unconcerned in it, that, easily wearied when out of corew sleepy, and retired to her own room

The anxious Cecilia, hoping every instant the return of Mr Harrel, sat up by herself: but it was not till near four o'clock in thethat he made his appearance

"Well, sir," cried she, thehome so late you have had much trouble, but I hope it has been successful?"

Great, however, was her mortification when he answered that he had not even seen the Baronet, having been engaged himself in so particular a manner, that he could not possibly break from his party till past three o'clock, at which time he drove to the house of Sir Robert, but heard that he was not yet come home