"You wrong me, indeed, madam!" interrupted Cecilia, greatly hurt, "my
mind harbours no such intention, it has no desire but to be guided by
duty, it is wretched with a consciousness of having failed in it! I
pine, I sicken to recover my own good opinion; I should then no longer
feel unworthy of yours; and whether or not I might be able to regain
it, I should at least lose this cruel depression that now sinks me in
your presence!"

"To regain it," said Mrs Delvile, "were to exercise but half your
power, which at this moment enables you, if such is your wish, to make
me think of you more highly than one human being ever thought of
another. Do you condescend to hold this worth your while?"

Cecilia started at the question; her heart beat quick with struggling
passions; she saw the sacrifice which was to be required, and her
pride, her affronted pride, arose high to anticipate the rejection; but
the design was combated by her affections, which opposed the indignant
rashness, and told her that one hasty speech might separate her from
Delvile for ever. When this painful conflict was over, of which Mrs
Delvile patiently waited the issue, she answered, with much hesitation,
"To regain your good opinion, madam, greatly, truly as I value it,--is
what I now scarcely dare hope."

"Say not so," cried she, "since, if you hope, you cannot miss it. I
purpose to point out to you the means to recover it, and to tell you
how greatly I shall think myself your debtor if you refuse not to
employ them."

She stopt; but Cecilia hung back; fearful of her own strength, she