excuse me, I will go to my own room."

She then arose, but her knees trembled, and her head was giddy, and
again seating herself, she forced a faint smile, and said, "Perhaps I
had better keep quiet."

"Can I bear this!" cried Delvile, "no, it shakes all my resolution!--
loveliest and most beloved Cecilia! forgive my rash declaration, which
I hear retract and forswear, and which no false pride, no worthless
vanity shall again surprise from me!--raise, then, your eyes--"

"Hot-headed young man!" interrupted Mrs Delvile, with an air of haughty
displeasure, "if you cannot be rational, at least be silent. Miss
Beverley, we will both leave him."

Shame, and her own earnestness, how restored some strength to Cecilia,
who read with terror in the looks of Mrs Delvile the passions with
which she was agitated, and instantly obeyed her by rising; but her
son, who inherited a portion of her own spirit, rushed between them
both and the door, and exclaimed, "Stay, madam, stay! I cannot let you
go: I see your intention, I see your dreadful purpose; you will work
upon the feelings of Miss Beverley, you will extort from her a promise
to see me no more!"

"Oppose not my passing!" cried Mrs Delvile, whose voice, face and
manner spoke the encreasing disturbance of her soul; "I have but too
long talked to you in vain; I must now take some better method for the
security of the honour of my family."

This moment appeared to Delvile decisive; and casting off in