seeking or avoiding the intimacy of the family.

Not a little was her anxiety to know in what manner young Delvile
would receive her, whether he would be grave or gay, agitated, as
during their last conversation, or easy, as in the meetings which had
preceded it.

She found Mrs Delvile, however, alone; and, extremely kind to her, yet
much surprised, and half displeased, that she had so long been.
absent. Cecilia, though somewhat distressed what excuses to offer, was
happy to find herself so highly in favour, and not very reluctant to
promise more frequent visits in future.

They were then summoned to dinner; but still no young Delvile was
visible: they were joined only by his father, and she found that no
one else was expected.

Her astonishment now was greater than ever, and she could account by
no possible conjecture for a conduct so extraordinary. Hitherto,
whenever she had visited in St James's-square by appointment, the air
with which he had received her, constantly announced that he had
impatiently waited her arrival; he had given up other engagements to
stay with her, he had openly expressed his hopes that she would never
be long absent, and seemed to take a pleasure in her society to which
every other was inferior. And now, how striking the difference! he
forbore all visits at the house where she resided, he even flew from
his own when he knew she was approaching it!

Nor was this the only vexation of which this day was productive; Mr
Delvile, when the servants were withdrawn after dinner, expressed some