the intended possessors, heard their names with envy, and sighed
with all the bitterness of mortification that she was unable to
order home almost everything she looked at.

Having finished their business here, they proceeded to various other
dress manufacturers, in whose praises Miss Larolles was almost
equally eloquent, and to appropriate whose goods she was almost
equally earnest: and then, after attending this loquacious young
lady to her father's house, Mrs Harrel and Cecilia returned to their
own.

Cecilia rejoiced at the separation, and congratulated herself that
the rest of the day might be spent alone with her friend.

"Why, no," said Mrs Harrel, "not absolutely alone, for I expect some
company at night."

"Company again to-night?"

"Nay, don't be frightened, for it will be a very small party; not
more than fifteen or twenty in all."

"Is that so small a party?" said Cecilia, smiling; "and how short a
time since would you, as well as I, have reckoned it a large one!"

"Oh, you mean when I lived in the country," returned Mrs Harrel;
"but what in the world could I know of parties or company then?"

"Not much, indeed," said Cecilia, "as my present ignorance shews."