chagrin, again visited Miss Belfield. She had then the pleasure to
hear that her brother was much recovered, and had been able, the
preceding day, to take an airing, which he had borne so well that Mr
Rupil had charged him to use the same exercise every morning.

"And will he?" said Cecilia.

"No, madam, I am sadly afraid not," she answered, "for coach hire is
very expensive, and we are willing, now, to save all we can in order
to help fitting him out for going abroad."

Cecilia then earnestly entreated her to accept some assistance; but
she assured her she did not dare without the consent of her mother,
which, however, she undertook to obtain.

The next day, when Cecilia called to hear her success, Mrs Belfield,
who hitherto had kept out of sight, made her appearance. She found
her, alike in person, manners and conversation, a coarse and ordinary
woman, not more unlike her son in talents and acquired accomplishments,
than dissimilar to her daughter in softness and natural delicacy.

The moment Cecilia was seated, she began, without waiting for any
ceremony, or requiring any solicitation, abruptly to talk of her
affairs, and repiningly to relate her misfortunes.

"I find, madam," she said, "you have been so kind as to visit my
daughter Henny a great many times, but as I have no time for company,
I have always kept out of the way, having other things to do than sit
still to talk. I have had a sad time of it here, ma'am, with my poor
son's illness, having no conveniencies about me, and much ado to make