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In this disposition ofobeyed the summons of Mr Delvile, and for the first time went to St Jaood, and meanness instead of nobleness

She was shewn into an apartment where she found Mr Delvile alone, and was received by him, as usual, with the iven you, Miss Beverley," said he, "the trouble of calling, in order to discuss with you the internal state of your affairs; a duty which, at this juncture, I hold to be incumbent upon my character The delicacy due to your sex would certainly have induced me to wait upon you myself for this purpose, but for the reasons I have already hinted to you, of fearing the people hoht think it necessary to return in are commonly in those matters the ainst theeneral and indiscri all ranks, does injury to the rites of society"

Ah! thought Cecilia, how infallible is Mr Monckton! and how inevitably, in a family of which Mr Delvile is the head, should I be cruelly held down, as the disgrace of their alliance!

"I have applied," continued he, "to Mrs Delvile, to know if the communication which I had recommended to you, and to which she had promised her attention, had yet passed; but I am informed you have not spoken to her upon the subject"

"I had nothing, Sir, to communicate," answered Cecilia, "and I had hoped, as Mrs Delvileto hear"

"With respect to enquiries," said Mr Delvile, "I fear you are not sufficiently aware of the distance between a lady of Mrs Delvile's rank, both by birth and alliance, and such a young woman as Mrs Harrel, whose ancestors, but a short ti your pardon;--I mean not any reflection upon yours: I have always heard they were very worthy people And a farmer is certainly a very respectable person Your father, I think, noin that way himself?"

"No, Sir," said Cecilia, drily, and much provoked by this conteood sort of man: I knew none of the family myself, but the Dean His connections with the Bishop of ------,me for one of his trustees, I must oas rather extraordinary; but I mean not to hurt you; on the contrary, I should be ive you any uneasiness"