perverseness of my destiny."



CHAPTER vii.

A PARTING.

The next morning Dr Lyster called early, and having visited Mrs
Delvile, and again met the two gentlemen of the faculty in whose care
she was to remain, he took his leave. But not without contriving first
to speak a few words to Cecilia in private, in which he charged her to
be careful of her health, and re-animate her spirits. "Don't suppose,"
said he, "that because I am a friend of the Delvile family, I am either
blind to your merits, or to their foibles, far from it; but then why
should they interfere with one another? Let them keep their prejudices,
which, though different, are not worse than their neighbours, and do
you retain your excellencies, and draw from them the happiness they
ought to give you. People reason and refine themselves into a thousand
miseries, by chusing to settle that they can only be contented one way;
whereas, there are fifty ways, if they would but look about them, that
would commonly do as well." "I believe, indeed, you are right,"
answered Cecilia, "and I thank you for the admonition; I will do what I
can towards studying your scheme of philosophy, and it is always one
step to amendment, to be convinced that we want it."

"You are a sensible and charming girl," said Dr Lyster, "and Mr
Delvile, should he find a daughter-in-law descended in a right line
from Egbert, first king of all England, won't be so well off as if he
had satisfied himself with you. However, the old gentleman has a fair