of his disorder was his mind; and I could not know that, without
readily conjecturing the cause, when I saw who was his father's guest,
and when I knew what was his father's character. He found he was
betrayed to me, and upon my advising a journey, he understood me
properly. His openness to counsel, and the manly firmness with which he
behaved in quitting you, made me hope the danger was blown over. But
last week, when I was at the Castle, where I have for some time
attended Mr Delvile, who has had a severe fit of the gout, I found him
in an agitation of spirits that made me apprehend it would be thrown
into his stomach. I desired Mrs Delvile to use her influence to calm
him; but she was herself in still greater emotion, and acquainting me
she was obliged to leave him, desired I would spend with him every
moment in my power. I have therefore almost lived at the Castle during
her absence, and, in the course of our many conversations, he has
acknowledged to me the uneasiness under which he has laboured, from the
intelligence concerning his son, which he had just received."

Cecilia wished here to enquire _how_ received, and from whom, but had
not the courage, and therefore he proceeded.

"I was still with the father when Mr Mortimer arrived post at my house
to fetch me hither. I was sent for home; he informed me of his errand
without disguise, for he knew I was well acquainted with the original
secret whence all the evil arose. I told him my distress in what manner
to leave his father; and he was extremely shocked himself when
acquainted with his situation. We agreed that it would be vain to
conceal from him the indisposition of Mrs Delvile, which the delay of
her return, and a thousand other accidents, might in some unfortunate
way make known to him. He commissioned me, therefore, to break it to
him, that he might consent to my journey, and at the same time to quiet