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She instantly answered in the affir," cried Mrs Delvile, with some surprise, "as to bestow upon ay excursion?"

"Most willingly," answered Cecilia, "if you are so good as to wish it"

"But can you also--for you e to live entirely in my house till Mr Barrel's return?"

To this proposal, which hat she lad assent; and Mrs Delvile, extremely pleased with her compliance, promised to have an apartment prepared for her immediately

She then hastened home, to announce her new plan

This she took occasion to do when the family was assembled at dinner The surprize hich she was heard was very general: Sir Robert seemed at a loss what conclusion to draw from her information; Mr Arnott was half elated with pleasure, and half depressed with apprehension; Mrs Harrel wondered, without any other sensation; and Mr Harrel himself was evidently the most concerned of the party

Every effort of persuasion and iive up this scheme, and still accoagement with Mrs Delvile was decided, and she had appointed to wait upon her the next

When her resolution was found so steady, a general ill humour took place of surprise: Sir Robert now had the air of a ht himself affronted; Mr Arnott retched from a thousand uncertainties; Mrs Harrel, indeed, was still the most indifferent; but Mr Harrel could hardly repress his disappointaiety and pleasure: in reuardian to another, she knew she could not be opposed; and the flattering readiness hich Mrs Delvile had anticipated her request, without enquiring into her rew extre complaints of Mr Harrel The absence of Mr Delvile contributed to her happiness, and shenow the prospect of a speedy opportunity to explain to his son, whatever had appearedMr Belfield If she had any thing to regret, it wasfor the counsel of Mr Monckton

The next , while the family was in the midst of preparation for departure, she took leave of Mrs Harrel, who faintly lamented the loss of her company, and then hastilyherself into a chair, was conveyed to her new habitation