discomposed, that Mrs Delvile, who perceived her uneasiness with much
concern, redoubled her civilities and caresses, and used every method
in her power to oblige and enliven her.

Cecilia was not ungrateful for her care, and shewed her sense of it by
added respect and attention; but her mind was disturbed, and she
quitted the house as soon as she was able.

Mr Delvile's speech, from her previous knowledge of the extreme
haughtiness of his character, would not have occasioned her the
smallest emotion, had it merely related to him or to herself: but as
it concerned Lord Ernolf, she regarded it as also concerning his son,
and she found that, far from trying to promote the union Mr Monckton
had told her he had planned, he did not seem even to think of it, but,
on the contrary, proposed and seconded with all his interest another
alliance.

This, added to the behaviour of young Delvile, made her suspect that
some engagement was in agitation on his own part, and that while she
thought him so sedulous only to avoid her, he was simply occupied in
seeking another. This painful suggestion, which every thing seemed to
confirm, again overset all her schemes, and destroyed all her
visionary happiness. Yet how to reconcile it with what had passed at
their last meeting she knew not; she had then every reason to believe
that his heart was in her power, and that courage, or an opportunity
more seasonable, was all he wanted to make known his devotion to her;
why, then, shun if he loved her? why, if he loved her not, seem so
perturbed at the explanation of her independence?

A very little time, however, she hoped would unravel this mystery; in