Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mrs Belfield,
who very familiarly said she came to tell Cecilia they were _all in
the wrong box_ in letting her son know of the L10 bank note, "for,"
continued she, "he has a pride that would grace a duke, and he thinks
nothing of his hardships, so long as nobody knows of them. So another
time we must manage things better, and when we do him any good, not
let him know a word of the matter. We'll settle it all among
ourselves, and one day or other he'll be glad enough to thank us."

Cecilia, who saw Miss Belfield colour with shame at the freedom of
this hint, now arose to depart: but Mrs Belfield begged her not to go
so soon, and pressed her with such urgency to again sit down, that she
was obliged to comply.

She then began a warm commendation of her son, lavishly praising all
his good qualities, and exalting even his defects, concluding with
saying "But, ma'am, for all he's such a complete gentleman, and for
all he's made so much of, he was so diffident, I could not get him to
call and thank you for the present you made him, though, when he went
his last airing, I almost knelt to him to do it. But, with all his
merit, he wants as much encouragement as a lady, for I can tell you it
is not a little will do for him."

Cecilia, amazed at this extraordinary speech, looked from the mother
to the daughter in order to discover its meaning, which, however, was
soon rendered plainer by what followed.

"But pray now, ma'am, don't think him the more ungrateful for his
shyness, for young ladies so high in the world as you are, must go