proposed sinking _both_ your names, since they are so at variance with
one another, and so adopting a third, by means of a title. But Mr
Delvile angrily declared, that though such a scheme might do very well
for the needy Lord Ernolf, a Peer of twenty years, his own noble
ancestors should never, by his consent, forfeit a name which so many
centuries had rendered honourable. His son Mortimer, he added, must
inevitably inherit the title of his grandfather, his uncle being old
and unmarried; but yet he would rather see him a beggar, than lose his
dearest hope that _Delvile_, Lord _Delvile_, would descend, both name
and title, from generation to generation unsullied and uninterrupted."

"I am sorry, indeed," said Cecilia, "that such a proposal was made, and
I earnestly entreat that none of any sort may be repeated."

"Well, well," said he, "I would not for the world do any mischief, but
who would not have supposed such a proposal would have done good?"

"Mr Mortimer," he then added, "is to meet us at--for he would not, he
said, come again to this place, upon such terms as he was here last
week, for the whole worth of the king's dominions."

The carriage was now ready, and Mrs Delvile was prepared to depart.
Cecilia approached to take leave of her, but Dr Lyster following, said
"No talking! no thanking! no compliments of any sort! I shall carry off
my patient without permitting one civil speech, and for all the
rudeness I make her guilty of, I am willing to be responsible."

Cecilia would then have retreated, but Mrs Delvile, holding out both
her hands, said "To every thing else, Dr Lyster, I am content to
submit; but were I to die while uttering the words, I cannot leave this