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"To !" answered Cecilia

"And to ! he has wit, spirit, and understanding, talents to create ade esteem!"

"You speak warmly," said Mrs Delvile; "but if such is his character, he merits your earnestness What is it you know of hih, perhaps," answered he, "to coolly justify my praise; but he is one of those whose first appearance takes the ment to make afterwards such terms as it can Will you, madam, when he is recovered, permit ; "but have a care your recorace your discernment"

"This warmth of disposition, Morti but difficulties and trouble: you neglect the connections I point out, and which a little attention ht render serviceable as well as honourable, and run precipitately into for people of rank, and are not only profitless in theenerally lead you into expence and inconvenience You are now of an age to correct this rashness: think, therefore, better of your own consequence, than thus idly to degrade yourself by for friendships with every shewy adventurer that comes in your way"

"I know not, Sir," answered he, "how Mr Belfield deserves to be called an adventurer: he is not, indeed, rich; but he is in a profession where parts such as his seldom fail to acquire riches; however, as to ard to hi man of worth and honour--"

"Mortimer," interrupted Mr Delvile, "whatever he is, we know he is not a man of rank, and whatever he may be, we know he cannot become a man of family, and consequently for Mortimer Delvile he is no companion If you can render hi; it becomes your birth, it becomes your station in life to assist individuals, and proet what is due to yourself, and to the ancient and honourable house fro"

"But can we entertain Miss Beverley with nothing better than family lectures?" cried Mrs Delvile

"It is forpardon of Miss Beverley for having occasioned theain, I hope I shall have more discretion"

He then left the rooo, said, "My dear, I commit you to very kind hands; Mrs Delvile, I am sure, will be happy to hear your story; speak to her, therefore, without reserve And pray don't iht; on the contrary, I admire and commend your modesty very much; but my time is extremely precious, and I cannot devote so much of it to an explanation as your diffidence requires"