Page 165 (1/1)

They then entered into a conversation which the sweetness of Cecilia, and the gratitude of Miss Belfield, soon rendered interesting, friendly and unreserved: and in a very short time, whatever was essential in the story or situation of the latter was fully coe the most earnest, that her brother should never be acquainted with the confidence she had made

Her father, who had been dead only two years, was a linen-draper in the city; he had six daughters, of whoest, and only one son This son, Mr Belfield, was alike the darling of his father, ht up at Eaton, no expence was spared in his education, nothing was denied that couldhe had uncoress in his studies was rapid and honourable: his father, though he always meant him for his successor in his business, heard of his i, "My boy will be the ornament of the city, he will be the best scholar in any shop in London"

He was soon, however, taught another lesson; when, at the age of sixteen, he returned ho his talents, as his father had expected, to trade, he both despised and abhorred the naay, with derision

He was seized, also, with a most ardent desire to finish his education, like those of his school-felloho left Eaton at the same time, at one of the Universities; and, after many difficulties, this petition, at the intercession of hishiive him a little more sense, and that when he became a finished student, he would not only know the true value of business, but understand how to get ain, better than any man whatsoever within Tehted, were also equally fallacious with the forain returned, and returned, as his father had hoped, a finished student; but, far fro more tractable, or better disposed for application to trade, his aversion to it noas more stubborn, and his oppositionmen of fashion hom he had formed friendships at school, or at the University, and hoence of his father, he was always able to vie in expence, and froence of Nature to excel in capacity, earnestly sought the continuance of his acquaintance, and courted and coveted the pleasure of his conversation: but though he was now totally disqualified for any other society, he lost all delight in their favour from the fear they should discover his abode, and sedulously endeavoured to avoid even occasionallythem, lest any of his family should at the sah wealthy, worthy, and independent, he was now so utterly ashamed, that the mortification the most cruel he could receive, was to be asked his address, or told he should be visited