of his conduct; but in seeing it was strange, she was convinced it was
unfavourable: he had evidently avoided her while it was in his power,
and when, at last, he was obliged to meet her, he was formal, distant,
and reserved.

The more she recollected and dwelt upon the difference of his
behaviour in their preceding meeting, the more angry as well as amazed
she became at the change, and though she still concluded the pursuit
of some other object occasioned it, she could find no excuse for his
fickleness if that pursuit was recent, nor for his caprice if it was
anterior.



CHAPTER ii.

A BROAD HINT.


The next day Cecilia, to drive Delvile a little from her thoughts,
which she now no longer wished him to occupy, again made a visit to
Miss Belfield, whose society afforded her more consolation than any
other she could procure.

She found her employed in packing up, and preparing to remove to
another lodging, for her brother, she said, was so much better, that
he did not think it right to continue in so disgraceful a situation.

She talked with her accustomed openness of her affairs, and the
interest which Cecilia involuntarily took in them, contributed to