concern that he had been called from her during their last
conversation, and added that he would take the present opportunity to
talk with her upon some matters of importance.

He then began the usual parading prelude, which, upon all occasions,
he thought necessary, in order to enhance the value of his
interposition, remind her of her inferiority, and impress her with a
deeper sense of the honour which his guardianship conferred upon her
after which, he proceeded to make a formal enquiry whether she had
positively dismissed Sir Robert Floyer?

She assured him she had.

"I understood my Lord Ernolf," said he, "that you had totally
discouraged the addresses of his son?"

"Yes, Sir," answered Cecilia, "for I never mean to receive them."

"Have you, then, any other engagement?"

"No, Sir," cried she, colouring between shame and displeasure, "none
at all."

"This is a very extraordinary circumstance!" replied he: "the son of
an earl to be rejected by a young woman of no family, and yet no
reason assigned for it!"

This contemptuous speech so cruelly shocked Cecilia, that though he
continued to harangue her for a great part of the afternoon, she only
answered him when compelled by some question, and was so evidently