CHAPTER iii

AN ARRIVAL.


As soon as they lost sight of the house, Cecilia expressed her
surprise at the behaviour of the old gentleman who sat in the
corner, whose general silence, seclusion from the company, and
absence of mind, had strongly excited her curiosity.

Mr Harrel could give her very little satisfaction: he told her that
he had twice or thrice met him in public places, where everybody
remarked the singularity of his manners and appearance, but that he
had never discoursed with anyone to whom he seemed known; and that
he was as much surprised as herself in seeing so strange a character
at the house of Mr Monckton.

The conversation then turned upon the family they had just quitted,
and Cecilia warmly declared the good opinion she had of Mr Monckton,
the obligations she owed to him for the interest which, from her
childhood, he had always taken in her affairs; and her hopes of
reaping much instruction from the friendship of a man who had so
extensive a knowledge of the world.

Mr Harrel professed himself well satisfied that she should have such
a counsellor; for though but little acquainted with him, he knew he
was a man of fortune and fashion, and well esteemed in the world.
They mutually compassionated his unhappy situation in domestic life,
and Cecilia innocently expressed her concern at the dislike Lady
Margaret seemed to have taken to her; a dislike which Mr Harrel