But now the untuneful trump shall grate no more, While other views unfolding on my eyes, LXXII. Scene between CECILIA BEVERLY and HENRIETTA BELFIELD. Cecilia. M May I know the cause? Y dear Henrietta, you seem to be overjoyed; Henrietta. My dear, dear Miss Beverly, I have such a thing to tell you-you would never guess it-I don't know how to believe it myself Mr. Delvill has written to me! he has indeed! here is the note! [holding out a letter.] Gec. Indeed! I long to know the contents. Pray read it. Hen.-[Reads it] "To MISS BELFIELD, "Mr. Delvill presents his compliments to Miss Belfield, and begs to be permitted to wait on her for a few minutes, at any time in the afternoon she will please to appoint." Only think! it is me, poor simple me, of all people, that he wants to speak with. But what can he want? My dearest Cecilia tell what you think he can have to say to me? Cec. Indeed it is impossible for ine to conjecture. Hen. If you can't I am sure there is no wonder I can't. I have thought of a million things in a minute. It can't be about business-It can't be about my brother-It can't be about my dear Miss Beverly-I suspect-[a servant enters with a message.] Ser. A gentleman in the parlour desires to speak with Miss Belfield. [Servant goes out.] Hen. My dear Miss Beverly, what shall I say to him? Pray advise me, I am so confused I can't say a single word. Gec. I can't advise you, Miss Belfield, for I don't know what he will say to you. Hen. But I can guess, I can guess! And I shan't know what in the world to answer. I shall behave like a simpleton and disgrace myself. [Cecilia leaves her and Mr. Delvill enters the room.] Delvill. Good-morrow, Miss Belfield. I hope I have the pleasure to see you well to-day. Is Miss Beverly at home? I have a message for her from my mother. Hen. [With a look of disappointment.] Yes, sir, she is at home. I will call her. [goes out.] (Cecilia enters.) Delv. Good-morrow, Madam, I have presumed to wait on you this morning, by permission of my mother. But I am afraid that permission is so late, that the influence I hoped from it is past. Cec. I had no means, Sir, of knowing you came from her, otherwise I should have received her commands without hesitation. Delv. I would thank you for the honour you do her, was it less pointedly exclusive. Yet I have no right to reproach you. Let me ask Madam, could you, after my solemn promise at our last parting, to renounce all future claim upon you, in obedience to my mother's will, could you think me so dishonourable as to obtrude myself into your presence, while that promise was in force? Cec. I find I have been too hasty. I did indeed believe Mrs. Delvill would never authorize such a visit; but as I was much surprized, I hope I may be pardoned for a little doubt. Delv. There spoke Miss Beverly! the same, the unaltered Miss Beverly I hoped to find. Yet is she altered? Am I not too hasty? And is the story I have heard about Belfield a dream? an error, a falsehood? Cec. If it was not that such a quick succession of quarrels would be endless perplexity, I would be affronted that you can ask me such a question. Delv. Had I thought it a question, I should not have asked it. But never for a moment did I credit it, till the rigour of your repulse alarmed me. But as you are good enough to account for that, I am encouraged to make known the design of my present visit. Yet with confidence I cannot speak; hardly with hope. Gec. One thing, Sir, let me say before you proceed; it your purpose has not the sanction of Mrs. Delvill, as well as your visit, I would be excused from hearing it, for I shall most certainly refuse it. Delv. I would mention nothing without her concurrence, she has given it; and my father has also consented to my present application. Gec. (Clasping her hands in joy.) Is it possible? Delv. Is it possible! With what emotions do I hear these words? Ah, Miss Beverly! Once my own Cecilia ! do you, can you wish it possible? Cec. No, no, I wish nothing about it. Yet tell me how it has happened-I am curious (smiling) though not inter ested in it. Delv. What hope would this sweetness give me, was my scheme any other than it is! But you cannot-no, it would be unreasonable-it would be madness to expect your compliance! It is next to madness in me to wish it! But how shall a man who is desperate be prudent and circumspect. Cec. Spare yourself, Sir, this unnecessary pain. You will find in me no unnecessary scruples. Delv. You know not what you say, Madam. All noble as you are, the sacrifice I have to propose Gec. Name it, Sir, with confidence, I will not disguisebut frankly own that I will agree to any sacrifice you will mention, provided it has Mrs. Delvill's approbation. Delv. What words are these? Is it Miss Beverly that speaks? Gec. What can I say more? Must I offer this pledge too! (holding out her hand.) Delv. My dear Cecilia, how happy this makes me! (taking her hand) for my life I would not resign it. Yet how soon will you withdraw it, when you know that the only terms on which I can hold it, are that this hand must sign away your inheritance. Cec. I do not comprehend this, Sir. Delo. Can you for my sake, make such a sacrifice as this? I am not permitted to give up my name for yours; can you renounce your uncle's fortune, as you must, if you renounce your name; and consent to such settlements as I can make upon you? Will these and your own paternal inheritance of ten thousand pounds satisfy your expectations of living? Cee. (Turning pale and drawing back her hand. ) O Mr. Delvill! your words pierce me to the soul. Delv. Have I offended you, Madam? Pardon me then for indulging a romantic whim which your better judgment disapproves. My presumption deserves this mortification. Gec. You know not then my inability to comply? 'Delv. Your ability or inability I presume depends on your own will. Cec. No, Sir, by no means, my power is lost-My fortune, alas is gone. and Delv. Impossible! utterly impossible! Cec. Would to heaven it was otherwise! But it is too true; father knows it. your Delv. My father! Cec. Did he never hint it to you? Delv. Distraction! what horrible confirmation is coming! (pausing) you only, Miss Beverly could have made this credible! Cec. Had you then actually heard it? Delv. I had indeed heard it, as the most infamous falsehood. My heart swelled with indignation at such slander. Cec. Oh, Sir, the fact is undeniable; tho' the circumstances you may have heard with it may be exaggerated. Delv. That indeed must have been the case. I was told that your paternal fortune was totally exhausted, and that during your minority, you had been a dealer with Jews! all this I was told from my father, or I could not have been made to hear it. Cec. Thus far he told you nothing but truth. Delv. Truth! (starting) never then was truth so scandalously wronged! I denied the whole report! I disbelieved every syllable! I pledged my own honour to prove every assertion false. Cec. Generous Delvill, this is what I might expect from you (weeping.) Delv. Why does Miss Beverly weep? Why has she given me this alarm? These things must at least have been misrepresented. Will you condescend to unravel to me this mysterious affair? Cec. Alas, Sir, the unfortunate Mr. Harrel! He has been the cause of my losses. You know his love of gaming, a passion which led him to his fatal end. In his embarrassments he came to me for assistance. He was my guardian ; what could I do? I yielded to his entreaties; and repeatedly took up money of a Jew, upon the credit of my estate, until the whole was pledged. If it was a fault, I know you will ascribe it to the real motive, and pardon it. Delv. My dear Cecilia, I thank you sincerely for this account of your misfortunes; altho' it fills my heart with anguish. How will my mother be shocked to hear a confirmation of the report she had heard! How irritated at your injuries from Harrel! How grieved that your generosity should bring upon your character so many vile aspersions! Gec. I have been of too easy a disposition-too unguarded, yet always at the moment, I seemed guided by common humanity. But I thought myself secure of wealth; and while the revenue of my uncle insured me prosperity I thought little of my own fortune. Could I have foreseen this momentDelv. Would you then have listened to my romantic proposal? Cec Could I have hesitated! Delv. Most generous of beings, still then be mine! By our economy, we will make savings to pay off our mortgages and clear our estates. I will still keep my name to which my family is bigoted, and my gratitude for your compliance shall make you forget what you lose by the change of yours. LXXIII. Scene between CECILIA BEVERLY and a GEN Gent. I TLEMAN. PRESUME, Madam, you are the lady of this house: May I take the liberty to ask your name? Cec. My name, Sir! Gent. You will do me a favour by telling it to me. Cec. Is it possible, Sir, you are come hither, without already knowing it? Gent. I know it only by common report, Madam. Cec. Common report, Sir, I believe is seldom wrong in a matter where it is so easy to be right. Gent. Have you any objections madam to telling me your name? Cec. No, Sir, but your business can hardly be very important, if you have to learn whom you have to address. It will |