Cecilia; Or, Memoirs of an Heiress — Volume 3 by Fanny Burney
page 74 of 424 (17%)
page 74 of 424 (17%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
common lot, I will submit to it without repining."
"Heaven then bless, and hovering angels watch you!" cried he, and letting go her hand, he ran hastily out of the room. "Oh Virtue, how bright is thy triumph!" exclaimed Mrs Delvile, flying up to Cecilia, and folding her in her arms; "Noble, incomparable young creature! I knew not that so much worth was compatible with human frailty!" But the heroism of Cecilia, in losing its object, lost its force; she sighed, she could not speak, tears gushed into her eyes, and kissing Mrs Delvile's hand with a look that shewed her inability to converse with her, she hastened, though scarce able to support herself, away, with intention to shut herself up in her own apartment: and Mrs Delvile, who perceived that her utmost fortitude was exhausted, opposed not her going, and wisely forbore to encrease her emotion, by following her even with her blessings. But when she came into the hall, she started, and could proceed no further; for there she beheld Delvile, who in too great agony to be seen, had stopt to recover some composure before he quitted the house. At the first sound of an opening door, he was hastily escaping; but perceiving Cecilia, and discerning her situation, he more hastily turned back, saying, "Is it possible?--To _me_ were you coming?" She shook her head, and made a motion with her hand to say no, and would then have gone on. |
|