As soon as she returned home, she had a letter put
into her hand which came from Mr Marriot, whose servant
had twice called for an answer in the short time she
had been absent.
This letter contained a most passionate avowal of
the impression she had made on his heart the preceding
evening, and an angry complaint that Mr Harrel had
refused to hear his proposals. He entreated her
permission to wait upon her for only five minutes,
and concluded with the most fervent professions of
respect and admiration.
The precipitancy of this declaration served merely
to confirm the opinion she had already conceived of
the weakness of his understanding: but the obstinacy
of Mr Harrel irritated and distressed her, though
weary of expostulating with so hopeless a subject,
whom neither reason nor gratitude could turn from
his own purposes, she was obliged to submit to his
management, and was well content, in the present instance,
to affirm his decree. She therefore wrote a concise
answer to her new admirer, in the usual form of civil
rejection.
AN ACCOMMODATION.
Cecilia was informed the next morning that a young
woman begged to speak with her, and upon sending for
her up stairs, she saw, to her great surprise, Miss
Belfield.
She came in fear and trembling, sent, she said, by
her mother, to entreat her pardon for what had passed
the preceding day; “But I know, madam,”
she added, “you cannot pardon it, and therefore
all that I mean to do is to clear my brother from
any share in what was said, for indeed he has too
much sense to harbour any such presumption; and to
thank you with a most grateful heart for all the goodness
you have shewn us.”
And then, modestly courtsying, she would have returned
home; but Cecilia, much touched by her gentleness,
took her hand, and kindly reviving her by assurances
of esteem, entreated that she would lengthen her stay.
“How good is this, madam,” said she, “after
having so much reason to think so ill of me and of
all of us I tried all in my power to undeceive my
mother, or at least to keep her quiet; but she was
so much persuaded she was right, that she never would
listen to me, and always said, did I suppose it was
for me you condescended to come so often?”
“Yes,” answered Cecilia, “most undoubtedly;
had I not known you, however well I might have wished
your brother, I should certainly not have visited
at his house. But I am very happy to hear the
mistake had spread no further.”
“No indeed, madam, I never once thought of it;
and as to my brother, when my mother only hinted it
to him, he was quite angry. But though I don’t
mean to vindicate what has happened, you will not,
I hope, be displeased if I say my mother is much more
pardonable than she seems to be, for the same mistake
she made with you, she would have been as apt to have
made with a princess; it was not, therefore, from any
want of respect, but merely from thinking my brother
might marry as high as he pleased, and believing no
lady would refuse him, if he would but have the courage
to speak.”
