"O speak not such words!" cried he, with agonizing earnestness, "to
disgrace her,--to be banished by you,--present not, I conjure you, such
scenes to my imagination!"

"Yet would they be unavoidable," continued she; "nor have I said to you
all; blinded as you now are by passion, your nobler feelings are only
obscured, not extirpated; think, then, how they will all rise in
revenge of your insulted dignity, when your name becomes a stranger to
your ears, and you are first saluted by one so meanly adopted!--"

"Hold, hold, madam," interrupted he, "this is more than I can bear!"

"Heavens!" still continued she, disregarding his entreaty, "what in the
universe can pay you for that first moment of indignity! Think of it
well ere you proceed, and anticipate your sensations, lest the shock
should wholly overcome you. How will the blood of your wronged
ancestors rise into your guilty cheeks, and how will your heart throb
with secret shame and reproach, when wished joy upon your marriage by
the name of _Mr Beverley_!"

Delvile, stung to the soul, attempted not any answer, but walked about
the room in the utmost disorder of mind. Cecilia would have retired,
but feared irritating him to some extravagance; and Mrs Delvile,
looking after him, added "For myself, I would still see, for I should
pity your wife,--but NEVER would I behold my son when sunk into an
object of compassion!"

"It shall not be!" cried he, in a transport of rage; "cease, cease to
distract me!--be content, madam,--you have conquered!"