inestimable creature without first saying how much I love her, how I
honour, and how I thank her! without entreating her to be careful of
her health, and conjuring her to compleat the greatness of her conduct,
by not suffering her spirits to sink from the exertion of her virtue.
And now my love, God bless you!"

She then embraced her, and went on; Cecilia, at a motion of Dr
Lyster's, forbearing to follow her.

"And thus," cried she, when they were gone, "thus ends all my
connection with this family! which it seems as if I was only to have
known for the purpose of affording a new proof of the insufficiency of
situation to constitute happiness. Who looks not upon mine as the
perfection of human felicity?--And so, perhaps, it is, for it may be
that Felicity and Humanity are never permitted to come nearer."

And thus, in philosophic sadness, by reasoning upon the universality of
misery, she restrained, at least, all violence of sorrow, though her
spirits were dejected, and her heart was heavy.

But the next day brought with it some comfort that a little lightened
her sadness; Mrs Charlton, almost wholly recovered, was able to go down
stairs, and Cecilia had at least the satisfaction of seeing an happy
conclusion to an illness of which, with the utmost concern and regret,
she considered herself as the cause. She attended her with the most
unremitting assiduity, and being really very thankful, endeavoured to
appear happy, and flattered herself that, by continual effort, the
appearance in a short time would become reality.

Mrs Charlton retired early, and Cecilia accompanied her up stairs: and