CHAPTER vi
A MAN OF THE TON.
At the door of the Pantheon they were joined by Mr Arnott and Sir RobertFloyer, whom Cecilia now saw with added aversion: they entered the greatroom during the second act of the Concert, to which as no one of theparty but herself had any desire to listen, no sort of attention waspaid; the ladies entertaining themselves as if no Orchestra was in theroom, and the gentlemen, with an equal disregard to it, struggling fora place by the fire, about which they continued hovering till the musicwas over.
Soon after they were seated, Mr Meadows, sauntering towards them,whispered something to Mrs Mears, who, immediately rising, introducedhim to Cecilia; after which, the place next to her being vacant, he casthimself upon it, and lolling as much at his ease as his situation wouldpermit, began something like a conversation with her.
"Have you been long in town, ma'am?"
"No, Sir."
"This is not your first winter?"
"Of being in town, it is."
"Then you have something new to see; O charming! how I envy you!--Areyou pleased with the Pantheon?"
"Very much; I have seen no building at all equal to it."
"You have not been abroad. Travelling is the ruin of all happiness!There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy."
"Does all happiness, then, depend upon the sight of buildings?" saidCecilia, when, turning towards her companion, she perceived him yawning,with such evident inattention to her answer, that not chusing tointerrupt his reverie, she turned her head another way.
For some minutes he took no notice of this; and then, as if suddenlyrecollecting himself, he called out hastily, "I beg your pardon, ma'am,you were saying something?"
"No, Sir, nothing worth repeating."
"O pray don't punish me so severely as not to let me hear it!"
Cecilia, though merely not to seem offended at his negligence, wasthen again beginning an answer, when, looking at him as she spoke, sheperceived that he was biting his nails with so absent an air, that heappeared not to know he had asked any question. She therefore broke off,and left him to his cogitation.
Sometime after he addressed her again, saying, "Don't you find thisplace extremely tiresome, ma'am?"
"Yes, Sir," said she, half laughing, "it is, indeed, not veryentertaining!"
"Nothing is entertaining," answered he, "for two minutes together.Things are so little different one from another, that there is no makingpleasure out of any thing. We go the same dull round for ever; nothingnew, no variety! all the same thing over again! Are you fond of publicplaces, ma'am?"
"Yes, Sir, _soberly_, as Lady Grace says."
"Then I envy you extremely, for you have some amusement always in yourown power. How desirable that is!"
"And have not you the same resources?"
"O no! I am tired to death! tired of every thing! I would give theuniverse for a disposition less difficult to please. Yet, after all,what is there to give pleasure? When one has seen one thing, one hasseen every thing. O, 'tis heavy work! Don't you find it so, ma'am?"
This speech was ended with so violent a fit of yawning, that Ceciliawould not trouble herself to answer it: but her silence, as before,passed wholly unnoticed, exciting neither question nor comment.
A long pause now succeeded, which he broke at last, by saying, as hewrithed himself about upon his seat, "These forms would be much moreagreeable if there were backs to them. 'Tis intolerable to be forcedto sit like a school-boy. The first study of life is ease. There is,indeed, no other study that pays the trouble of attainment. Don't youthink so, ma'am?"
"But may not even that," said Cecilia, "by so much study, becomelabour?"
"I am vastly happy you think so."
"Sir?"
"I beg your pardon, ma'am, but I thought you said--I really beg yourpardon, but I was thinking of something else."
"You did very right, Sir," said Cecilia, laughing, "for what I said byno means merited any attention."
"Will you do me the favour to repeat it?" cried he, taking out his glassto examine some lady at a distance.
"O no," said Cecilia, "that would be trying your patience too severely."
"These glasses shew one nothing but defects," said he; "I am sorry theywere ever invented. They are the ruin of all beauty; no complexion canstand them. I believe that solo will never be over; I hate a solo; itsinks, it depresses me intolerably."
"You will presently, Sir," said Cecilia, looking at the bill of theconcert, "have a full piece; and that, I hope, will revive you."
"A full piece! oh insupportable! it stuns, it fatigues, it overpowers mebeyond endurance! no taste in it, no delicacy, no room for the smallestfeeling."
"Perhaps, then, you are only fond of singing?"
"I should be, if I could hear it; but we are now so miserably off invoices, that I hardly ever attempt to listen to a song, without fancyingmyself deaf from the feebleness of the performers. I hate every thingthat requires attention. Nothing gives pleasure that does not force itsown way."
"You only, then, like loud voices, and great powers?"
"O worse and worse!--no, nothing is so disgusting to me. All myamazement is that these people think it worth while to give Concerts atall; one is sick to death of music."
"Nay," cried Cecilia, "if it gives no pleasure, at least it takes noneaway; for, far from being any impediment to conversation, I think everybody talks more during the performance than between the acts. And whatis there better you could substitute in its place?"
Cecilia, receiving no answer to this question, again looked round to seeif she had been heard; when she observed her new acquaintance, with avery thoughtful air, had turned from her to fix his eyes upon the statueof Britannia.
Very soon after, he hastily arose, and seeming entirely to forget thathe had spoke to her, very abruptly walked away.
Mr Gosport, who was advancing to Cecilia, and had watched part of thisscene, stopt him as he was retreating, and said "Why Meadows, how'sthis? are you caught at last?"
"O worn to death! worn to a thread!" cried he, stretching himself, andyawning; "I have been talking with a young lady to entertain her! O suchheavy work! I would not go through it again for millions!
"What, have you talked yourself out of breath?"
"No; but the effort! the effort!--O, it has unhinged me for afortnight!--Entertaining a young lady!--one had better be a galley-slaveat once!"
"Well but, did she not pay your toils? She is surely a sweet creature."
"Nothing can pay one for such insufferable exertion! though she's wellenough, too--better than the common run,--but shy, quite too shy; nodrawing her out."
"I thought that was to your taste. You commonly hate much volubility.How have I heard you bemoan yourself when attacked by Miss Larolles!"
"Larolles? O distraction! She talks me into a fever in two minutes. Butso it is for ever! nothing but extremes to be met with! common girls aretoo forward, this lady is too reserved--always some fault! always somedrawback! nothing ever perfect!"
"Nay, nay," cried Mr Gosport, "you do not know her; she is perfectenough in all conscience."
"Better not know her, then," answered he, again yawning, "for she cannotbe pleasing. Nothing perfect is natural;--I hate every thing out ofnature."
He then strolled on, and Mr Gosport approached Cecilia.
"I have been wishing," cried he, "to address you this half hour, but asyou were engaged with Mr Meadows, I did not dare advance."
"O, I see your malice!" cried Cecilia; "you were determined to addweight to the value of your company, by making me fully sensible wherethe balance would preponderate."
"Nay, if you do not admire Mr Meadows," cried he, "you must not evenwhisper it to the winds."
"Is he, then, so very admirable?"
"O, he is now in the very height of fashionable favour: his dress isa model, his manners are imitated, his attention is courted, and hisnotice is envied."
"Are you not laughing?"
&n
bsp; "No, indeed; his privileges are much more extensive than I havementioned: his decision fixes the exact limits between what is vulgarand what is elegant, his praise gives reputation, and a word from him inpublic confers fashion!"
"And by what wonderful powers has he acquired such influence?"
"By nothing but a happy art in catching the reigning foibles of thetimes, and carrying them to an extreme yet more absurd than any one haddone before him. Ceremony, he found, was already exploded for ease, he,therefore, exploded ease for indolence; devotion to the fair sex, hadgiven way to a more equal and rational intercourse, which, to pushstill farther, he presently exchanged for rudeness; joviality, too, wasalready banished for philosophical indifference, and that, therefore, hediscarded, for weariness and disgust."
"And is it possible that qualities such as these should recommend him tofavour and admiration?"
"Very possible, for qualities such as these constitute the present tasteof the times. A man of the _Ton_, who would now be conspicuous in thegay world, must invariably be insipid, negligent, and selfish."
"Admirable requisites!" cried Cecilia; "and Mr Meadows, I acknowledge,seems to have attained them all."
"He must never," continued Mr Gosport, "confess the least pleasure fromany thing, a total apathy being the chief ingredient of his character:he must, upon no account, sustain a conversation with any spirit, lesthe should appear, to his utter disgrace, interested in what is said: andwhen he is quite tired of his existence, from a total vacuity of ideas,he must affect a look of absence, and pretend, on the sudden, to bewholly lost in thought."
"I would not wish," said Cecilia, laughing, "a more amiable companion!"
"If he is asked his opinion of any lady," he continued, "he mustcommonly answer by a grimace; and if he is seated next to one, hemust take the utmost pains to shew by his listlessness, yawning, andinattention, that he is sick of his situation; for what he holds of allthings to be most gothic, is gallantry to the women. To avoid thisis, indeed, the principal solicitude of his life. If he sees a lady indistress for her carriage, he is to enquire of her what is the matter,and then, with a shrug, wish her well through her fatigues, wink at somebye-stander, and walk away. If he is in a room where there is a crowd ofcompany, and a scarcity of seats, he must early ensure one of the bestin the place, be blind to all looks of fatigue, and deaf to all hints ofassistance, and seeming totally to forget himself, lounge at his ease,and appear an unconscious spectator of what is going forward. If he isat a ball where there are more women than men, he must decline dancingat all, though it should happen to be his favourite amusement, andsmiling as he passes the disengaged young ladies, wonder to see them sitstill, and perhaps ask them the reason!"
"A most alluring character indeed!" cried Cecilia; "and pray how longhave these been the accomplishments of a fine gentleman?"
"I am but an indifferent chronologer of the modes," he answered, "butI know it has been long enough to raise just expectations that some newfolly will be started soon, by which the present race of INSENSIBLISTSmay be driven out. Mr Meadows is now at the head of this sect, as MissLarolles is of the VOLUBLE, and Miss Leeson of the SUPERCILIOUS. Butthis way comes another, who, though in a different manner, labourswith the same view, and aspires at the same reward, which stimulatethe ambition of this happy _Triplet_, that of exciting wonder bypeculiarity, and envy by wonder."
This description announced Captain Aresby; who, advancing from thefire-place, told Cecilia how much he rejoiced in seeing her, said he hadbeen _reduced to despair_ by so long missing that honour, and that hehad feared she _made it a principle_ to avoid coming in public, havingsought her in vain _partout_.
He then smiled, and strolled on to another party.
"And pray of what sect," said Cecilia, "is this gentleman?"
"Of the sect of JARGONISTS," answered Mr Gosport; "he has not anambition beyond paying a passing compliment, nor a word to make use ofthat he has not picked up at public places. Yet this dearth of language,however you may despise it, is not merely owing to a narrow capacity:foppery and conceit have their share in the limitation, for though hisphrases are almost always ridiculous or misapplied, they are selectedwith much study, and introduced with infinite pains."
"Poor man!" cried Cecilia, "is it possible it can cost him any troubleto render himself so completely absurd?"
"Yes; but not more than it costs his neighbours to keep him incountenance. Miss Leeson, since she has presided over the sect of theSUPERCILIOUS, spends at least half her life in wishing the annihilationof the other half; for as she must only speak in her own Coterie, sheis compelled to be frequently silent, and therefore, having nothing tothink of, she is commonly gnawn with self-denial, and soured with wantof amusement: Miss Larolles, indeed, is better off, for in talkingfaster than she thinks, she has but followed the natural bent of herdisposition: as to this poor JARGONIST, he has, I must own, rather ahard task, from the continual restraint of speaking only out of hisown [Lilliputian] vocabulary, and denying himself the relief of everuttering one word by the call of occasion but what hardship is that,compared with what is borne by Mr Meadows? who, since he commencedINSENSIBLIST, has never once dared to be pleased, nor ventured for amoment to look in good humour!"
"Surely, then," said Cecilia, "in a short time, the punishment of thisaffectation will bring its cure."
"No; for the trick grows into habit, and habit is a second nature. Asecret idea of fame makes his forbearance of happiness supportable tohim: for he has now the self-satisfaction of considering himself raisedto that highest pinnacle of fashionable refinement which is built uponapathy and scorn, and from which, proclaiming himself superior toall possibility of enjoyment, he views the whole world with contempt!holding neither beauty, virtue, wealth, nor power of importancesufficient to kindle the smallest emotion!"
"O that they could all round listen to you!" cried Cecilia; "they wouldsoon, I think, sicken of their folly, if they heard it thus admirablyexposed."
"No; they would but triumph that it had obtained them so muchnotice!--But pray do you see that gentleman, or don't you chuse to knowhim, who has been bowing to you this half hour?"
"Where?" cried Cecilia, and, looking round, perceived Mr Morrice; who,upon her returning his salutation, instantly approached her, though hehad never ventured to shew himself at Mr Harrel's, since his unfortunateaccident on the evening of the masquerade.
Entirely casting aside the easy familiarity at which he had latterlyarrived, he enquired after her health with the most fearful diffidence,and then, bowing profoundly, was modestly retiring; when Mrs Harrelperceiving him, smiled with so much good-humour, that he gatheredcourage to return and address her, and found her, to his infinitedelight, as obliging and civil as ever.
The Concert was now over; the ladies arose, and the gentlemen joinedthem. Morrice, at sight of Mr Harrel, was again shrinking; but MrHarrel, immediately shaking hands with him, enquired what had kepthim so long from Portman-Square? Morrice then, finding, to his greatsurprise, that no one had thought more of the mischief but himselfwho had committed it, joyously discarded his timidity, and became assprightly as before his mortification.
A motion was now made for going to the tea-room; and as they walkedon, Cecilia, in looking up to examine the building, saw in one of thegalleries young Delvile, and almost at the same time caught his eye.
Scarcely now did a moment elapse before he joined her. The sight of him,strongly reviving in her mind the painful contrariety of opinion withwhich she had lately thought of him, the sentiments so much in hisfavour which but a few days before she had encouraged, and which it wasonly that morning she had endeavoured to crush, made her meet him with akind of melancholy that almost induced her to lament he was amiable, andrepine that she knew none like him.
His appearance, meantime, was far different; he seemed enchanted at thesight of her, he flew eagerly to meet her, and his eyes sparkledwith pleasure as he approached her; a pleasure neither moderate nordisguised, but lively, unrestrained,
and expressive.
Cecilia, whose plans since she had last seen him had twice varied,who first had looked forward to being united with him for ever, andafterwards had determined to avoid with him even a common acquaintance,could not, while these thoughts were all recurring to her memory,receive much delight from observing his gaiety, or feel at all gratifiedby his unembarrassed manners. The openness of his attentions, and thefrankness of his admiration, which hitherto had charmed her as marksof the sincerity of his character, now shocked her as proofs of theindifference of his heart, which feeling for her a mere common regard,that affected neither his spirits nor his peace, he manifested withoutscruple, since it was not accompanied with even a wish beyond thepresent hour.
She now, too, recollected that such had always been his conduct, onesingle and singular moment excepted, when, as he gave to her hisletter for Mr Belfield, he seemed struck as she was herself by theextraordinary co-incidence of their ideas and proceedings: that emotion,however, she now regarded as casual and transitory, and seeing him somuch happier than herself, she felt ashamed of her delusion, and angryat her easy captivation.
Reflections such as these, though they added fresh motives to herresolution of giving up all thoughts of his alliance, were yet sohumiliating, that they robbed her of all power of receiving pleasurefrom what was passing, and made her forget that the place she was in waseven intended for a place of entertainment.
Young Delvile, after painting in lively colours the loss his house hadsustained by her quitting it, and dwelling with equal force upon theregret of his mother and his own, asked in a low voice if she would dohim so much honour as to introduce him to Mr Harrel; "As the son,"added he, "of a brother guardian, I think I have a kind of claim to hisacquaintance."
Cecilia could not refuse, though as the request was likely to occasionmore frequent meetings, she persuaded herself she was unwilling tocomply. The ceremony therefore past, and was again repeated with MrsHarrel, who, though she had several times seen him, had never beenformally made known to him.
The Harrels were both of them much pleased at this mark of civility in ayoung man whose family had prepared them rather to expect his scorn, andexpressed their wishes that he would drink his tea in their party; heaccepted their invitation with alacrity, and turning to Cecilia, said,"Have I not skilfully timed my introduction! But though you have done methis honour with Mr and Mrs Harrel, I must not yet, I presume, entreatyou to extend it to a certain happy gentleman of this company;" glancinghis eyes toward Sir Robert Floyer.
"No, Sir," answered she, with quickness, "yet, nor ever!"
They were now at the door leading down stairs to the tea-room. Ceciliasaw that Sir Robert, who had hitherto been engaged with some gentlemen,seemed to be seeking her; and the remembrance of the quarrel which hadfollowed her refusal of his assistance at the Opera-house, obligedher to determine, should he offer it again, to accept it: but thesame brutality which forced this intention, contributed to render itrepugnant to her, and she resolved if possible to avoid him, by hurryingdown stairs before he reached her. She made, therefore, a sudden attemptto slip through the crowd, and as she was light and active, she easilysucceeded; but though her hasty motion separated her from the rest ofher party, Delvile, who was earnestly looking at her, to discover hermeaning in the disclaiming speech she made about Sir Robert, saw intoher design, but suffered her not to go alone; he contrived in a momentto follow and join her, while she was stopping at the foot of the stairsfor Mrs Harrel.
"Why what a little thief you are," cried he, "to run away from us thus!what do you think Sir Robert will say? I saw him looking for you at thevery instant of your flight."
"Then you saw at the same time," said Cecilia, "the reason of it."
"Will you give me leave," cried he, laughing, "to repeat this to my LordErnolf?"
"You may repeat it, Sir, if you please," said Cecilia, piqued that hehad not rather thought of himself than of Lord Ernolf, "to the wholePantheon."
"And if I should," cried he, "half of it, at least, would thank me; andto obtain the applause of so noble an assembly, what would it signifythat Sir Robert should cut my throat?"
"I believe," said Cecilia, deeply mortified by a raillery that shewedso little interest in her avowal of indifference, "you are determined tomake me as sick of that man's name, as I am of his conversation."
"And is it possible," exclaimed Delvile, in a tone of surprise, "thatsuch can be your opinion, and yet, situated as you are, the whole worldat your command, and all mankind at your devotion--but I am answeringyou seriously, when you are only speaking by rule."
"What rule, Sir?"
"That which young ladies, upon certain occasions, always prescribethemselves."
Here they were interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the company;though not before Cecilia had received some little consolation forher displeasure, by finding that young Delvile still supposed she wasengaged, and flattering herself his language would be different were heinformed of the contrary.
Morrice now undertook to procure them a table for tea, which, as theroom was very full, was not easily done; and while they were waiting hissuccess, Miss Larolles, who from the stairs had perceived Cecilia,came running up to her, and taking her hand, called out "Lord, mydear creature, who'd have thought of seeing you here? I was never sosurprised in my life! I really thought you was gone into a convent, it'sso extreme long since I've seen you. But of all things in the world,why was you not at Lady Nyland's last assembly? I thought of asking MrsHarrel fifty times why you did not come, but it always went out of myhead. You've no notion how excessively I was disappointed."
"You are very obliging," said Cecilia laughing, "but I hope, sinceyou so often forgot it, the disappointment did [not] much lessen yourentertainment."
"O Lord no! I was never so happy in my life. There was such a crowd, youcould not move a finger. Every body in the world was there. You've noidea how delightful it was. I thought verily I should have fainted withthe heat."
"That was delightful indeed! And how long did you stay?"
"Why we danced till three in the morning. We began with Cotillons, andfinished with country dances. It was the most elegant thing you eversaw in your life; every thing quite in a style. I was so monstrouslyfatigued, I could hardly get through the last dance. I really thought Ishould have dropt down dead. Only conceive dancing five hours in such amonstrous crowd! I assure you when I got home my feet were all blisters.You have no idea how they smarted."
"And whence comes it," cried young Delvile, "that _you_ partake solittle of these delights?"
"Because I fear," answered Cecilia, "I came too late into the school offashion to be a ductile pupil."
"Do you know," continued Miss Larolles, "Mr Meadows has not spoke oneword to me all the evening! Though I am sure he saw me, for I sat atthe outside on purpose to speak to a person or two, that I knew would bestrolling about; for if one sits on the inside, there's no speaking toa creature, you know, so I never do it at the Opera, nor in the boxes atRanelagh, nor any where. It's the shockingest thing you can conceive tobe made sit in the middle of those forms; one might as well be at home,for nobody can speak to one."
"But you don't seem to have had much better success," said Cecilia, "inkeeping at the outside."
"O yes I have, for I got a little chat with two or three people as theywere passing, for, you know, when one sits there, they can't help sayingsomething; though I assure you all the men are so exceedingly odd theydon't care whether they speak to one or no. As to Mr Meadows, he'sreally enough to provoke one to death. I suppose he's in one of hisabsent fits. However, I assure you I think it's extreme impertinent ofhim, and so I shall tell Mr Sawyer, for I know he'll make a point oftelling him of it again."
"I rather think," said Cecilia, "the best would be to return thecompliment in kind, and when he next recollects you, appear to haveforgotten him."
"O Lord, that's a very good notion! so I will, I declare. But you can'tconceive how glad I am the Concert's over;
for I assure you, though Isat as near the fire as possible, I was so extreme cold you've no idea,for Mr Meadows never would let me have the least peep at it. I declareI believe he does it on purpose to plague one, for he grows worse andworse every day. You can't think how I hate him!"
"Not easily, I believe indeed!" said Cecilia, archly.
"O do but look!" resumed the fair VOLUBLE, "if there is not Mrs Mearsin her old red gown again! I begin to think she'll never have another.I wish she was to have an execution in her house, if it was only to getrid of it! I am so fatigued with the sight of it you can't conceive."
Mr Morrice now brought intelligence that he had secured one side of atable which would very well accommodate the ladies; and that the otherside was only occupied by one gentleman, who, as he was not drinking teahimself, would doubtless give up his place when the party appeared.
Miss Larolles then ran back to her own set, and the rest followed MrMorrice; Mrs Harrell, Mrs Mears and Cecilia took their places. Thegentleman opposite to them proved to be Mr Meadows: Morrice, therefore,was much deceived in his expectations, for, far from giving up hisplace, he had flung himself all along upon the form in such a loungingposture, while he rested one arm upon the table, that, not contentedwith merely keeping his own seat, he filled up a space meant for three.
Mr Harrel had already walked off to another party: Delvile stood alooffor some minutes, expecting Sir Robert Floyer would station himselfbehind Cecilia; but Sir Robert, who would scarce have thought such acondescension due to a princess, disdained any appearance of assiduity,even while he made it his care to publish his pretensions: andtherefore, finding no accommodation to please him, he stalked towardssome gentlemen in another part of the room. Delvile then took the posthe had neglected, and Mr Arnott, who had not had courage to make anyeffort in his own favour, modestly stood near him. Cecilia contrived tomake room for Mr Gosport next to herself, and Morrice was sufficientlyhappy in being allowed to call the waiters, superintend, the provisions,and serve the whole party.
The task of making tea fell upon Cecilia, who being somewhat incommodedby the vicinity of her neighbours, Mrs Mears called out to Mr Meadows"Do pray, Sir, be so good as to make room for one of us at your side."
Mr Meadows, who was indolently picking his teeth, and examining themwith a tooth pick case glass, did not, at first, seem to hear her; andwhen she repeated her request, he only looked at her, and said "umph?"
"Now really, Mr Meadows," said she, "when you see any ladies in suchdistress, I wonder how you can forbear helping them."
"In distress, are you?" cried he, with a vacant smile, "pray, what's thematter?"
"Don't you see? we are so crowded we can hardly sit."
"Can't you?" cried he, "upon my honour it's very shameful that thesepeople don't contrive some seats more convenient."
"Yes," said Mrs Mears; "but if you would be so kind as to let somebodyelse sit by you we should not want any contrivance."
Here Mr Meadows was seized with a furious fit of yawning, which as muchdiverted Cecilia and Mr Gosport, as it offended Mrs Mears, who withgreat displeasure added, "Indeed, Mr Meadows, it's very strange that younever hear what's said to you."
"I beg your pardon," said he, "were you speaking to me?" and again beganpicking his teeth.
Morrice, eager to contrast his civility with the inattention of MrMeadows, now flew round to the other side of the table, and calling out"let _me_ help you, Miss Beverley, I can make tea better than anybody,"he lent over that part of the form which Mr Meadows had occupied withone of his feet, in order to pour it out himself: but Mr Meadows, byan unfortunate removal of his foot, bringing him forwarder than he wasprepared to go, the tea pot and its contents were overturned immediatelyopposite to Cecilia.
Young Delvile, who saw the impending evil, from an impetuous impulseto prevent her suffering by it, hastily drew her back, and bending downbefore her, secured her preservation by receiving himself the mischiefwith which she was threatened.
Mrs Mears and Mrs Harrel vacated their seats in a moment, and Mr Gosportand Mr Arnott assisted in clearing the table, and removing Cecilia, whowas very slightly hurt, and at once surprised, ashamed, and pleased atthe manner in which she had been saved.
Young Delvile, though a sufferer from his gallantry, the hot waterhaving penetrated through his coat to his arm and shoulder, was at firstinsensible to his situation, from an apprehension that Cecilia had notwholly escaped; and his enquiries were so eager and so anxious, madewith a look of such solicitude, and a voice of such alarm, that, equallyastonished and gratified, she secretly blest the accident which hadgiven birth to his uneasiness, however she grieved for its consequenceto himself.
But no sooner was he satisfied of her safety, than he felt himselfobliged to retire; yet attributing to inconvenience what was really theeffect of pain, he hurried away with an appearance of sport, saying,"There is something I must own, rather _unknightly_ in quitting thefield for a wet jacket, but the company, I hope, will only give mecredit for flying away to Ranelagh. So
"Like a brave general after being beat, I'll exult and rejoice in a prudent retreat." [Footnote: Smart]
He then hastened to his carriage: and poor Morrice, frightened andconfounded at the disaster he had occasioned, sneaked after him withmuch less ceremony. While Mr Meadows, wholly unconcerned by the distressand confusion around him, sat quietly picking his teeth, and lookingon, during the whole transaction, with an unmeaning stare, that made itdoubtful whether he had even perceived it.
Order being now soon restored, the ladies finished their tea, and wentup stairs. Cecilia, to whom the late accident had afforded much new andinteresting matter for reflection, wished immediately to have returnedhome, but she was not the leader of the party, and therefore could notmake the proposal.
They then strolled through all the apartments, and having walked abouttill the fashionable time of retiring, they were joined by Sir RobertFloyer, and proceeded to the little room near the entrance to the greatone, in order to wait for their carriages.
Here Cecilia again met Miss Larolles, who came to make various remarks,and infinite ridicule, upon sundry unfashionable or uncostly articles inthe dresses of the surrounding company; as well as to complain, with nolittle resentment, that Mr Meadows was again standing before the fire!
Captain Aresby also advanced, to tell her he was quite _abattu_ byhaving so long lost sight of her, to hope she _would make a renounce_ ofmortifying the world by discarding it, and to protest he had waited forhis carriage till he was actually upon the point of being [_accable_.]
In the midst of this _jargon_, to which the fulness of Cecilia's mindhardly permitted her to listen, there suddenly appeared at the door ofthe apartment, Mr Albany, who, with his usual austerity of countenance,stopt to look round upon the company.
"Do you see," cried Mr Gosport to Cecilia, "who approaches? your poor_sycophants_ will again be taken to task, and I, for one, tremble at thecoming storm!"
"O Lord," cried Miss Larolles, "I wish I was safe in my chair! that manalways frightens me out of my senses. You've no notion what disagreeablethings he says to one. I assure you I've no doubt but he's crazy; andI'm always in the shockingest fright in the world for fear he should betaken with a fit while I'm near him."
"It is really a petrifying thing," said the Captain, "that one can go tono _spectacle_ without the _horreur_ of being _obsede_ by that person!if he comes this way, I shall certainly make a renounce, and retire."
"Why so?" said Sir Robert, "what the d---l do you mind him for?"
"O he is the greatest bore in nature!" cried the Captain, "and I alwaysdo _mon possible_ to avoid him; for he breaks out in such barbarousphrases, that I find myself _degoute_ with him in a moment."
"O, I assure you," said Miss Larolles, "he attacks one sometimes in amanner you've no idea. One day he came up to me all of a sudden, andasked me what good I thought I did by dressing so much? Only conceivehow shocking!"
"O, I have had the _horreur_ of questions of
that sort from him _sansfin_," said the Captain; "once he took the liberty to ask me, whatservice I was of to the world! and another time, he desired me to informhim whether I had ever made any poor person pray for me! and, in short,he has so frequently inconvenienced me by his impertinences, that hereally bores me to a degree."
"That's just the thing that makes him hunt you down," said Sir Robert;"if he were to ask me questions for a month together, I should nevertrouble myself to move a muscle."
"The matter of his discourse," said Mr Gosport, "is not more singularthan the manner, for without any seeming effort or consciousness, heruns into blank verse perpetually. I have made much enquiry about him,but all I am able to learn, is that he was certainly confined, at onepart of his life, in a private mad-house: and though now, from notbeing mischievous, he is set at liberty, his looks, language, and wholebehaviour, announce the former injury of his intellects."
"O Lord," cried Miss Larolles, half-screaming, "what shocking notionsyou put in one's head! I declare I dare say I sha'n't get safe homefor him, for I assure you I believe he's taken a spite to me! and allbecause one day, before I knew of his odd ways, I happened to fall alaughing at his going about in that old coat. Do you know it put himquite in a passion! only conceive how ill-natured!"
"O he has distressed me," exclaimed the Captain, with a shrug,"_partout_! and found so much fault with every thing I have done, that Ishould really be glad to have the honour to cut, for the moment he comesup to me, I know what I have to expect!"
"But I must tell you," cried Miss Larolles, "how monstrously he putme in a fright one evening when I was talking with Miss Moffat. Do youknow, he came up to us, and asked what we were saying! and becausewe could not think in a minute of something to answer him, he said hesupposed we were only talking some scandal, and so we had better gohome, and employ ourselves in working for the poor! only think howhorrid! and after that, he was so excessive impertinent in his remarks,there was quite no bearing him. I assure you he cut me up so you've nonotion."
Here Mr Albany advanced; and every body but Sir Robert moved out of theway.
Fixing his eyes upon Cecilia, with an expression _more in sorrow than inanger_, after contemplating her some time in silence, he exclaimed, "Ahlovely, but perishable flower! how long will that ingenuous countenance,wearing, because wanting no disguise, look responsive of the whitenessof the region within? How long will that air of innocence irradiate yourwhole appearance? unspoilt by prosperity, unperverted by power! purein the midst of surrounding depravity! unsullied in the tainted air ofinfectious perdition!"
The confusion of Cecilia at this public address, which drew upon her theeyes and attention of all the company, was inexpressible; she arose fromher seat, covered with blushes, and saying, "I fancy the carriage mustbe ready," pressed forward to quit the room, followed by Sir Robert, whoanswered, "No, no, they'll call it when it comes up. Arnott, will you goand see where it is?"
Cecilia stopt, but whispered Mrs Harrel to stand near her.
"And whither," cried Albany indignantly, "whither wouldst thou go? Artthou already disdainful of my precepts? and canst thou not one shortmoment spare from the tumultuous folly which encircles thee? Many andmany are the hours thou mayst spend with such as these; the world,alas! is full of them; weary not then, so soon, of an old man thatwould admonish thee,--he cannot call upon thee long, for soon he will becalled upon himself!"
This solemn exhortation extremely distressed her; and fearing to stillfurther offend him by making another effort to escape, she answered ina low voice, "I will not only hear, but thank you for your precepts, ifyou will forbear to give them before so many witnesses."
"Whence," cried he sternly, "these vain and superficial distinctions? Doyou not dance in public? What renders you more conspicuous? Do you notdress to be admired, and walk to be observed? Why then this fantasticalscruple, unjustified by reason, unsupported by analogy? Is folly onlyto be published? Is vanity alone to be exhibited? Oh slaves of senselesscontradiction! Oh feeble followers of yet feebler prejudice! daring tobe wicked, yet fearing to be wise; dauntless in levity, yet shrinkingfrom the name of virtue!"
The latter part of this speech, during which he turned with energy tothe whole company, raised such a general alarm, that all the ladieshastily quitted the room, and all the gentlemen endeavoured to enterit, equally curious to see the man who made the oration, and the ladyto whom it was addressed. Cecilia, therefore, found her situationunsupportable; "I must go," she cried, "whether there is a carriage ornot! pray, Mrs Harrel, let us go!"
Sir Robert then offered to take her hand, which she was extremely readyto give him; but while the crowd made their passage difficult, Albany,following and stopping her, said, "What is it you fear? a miserable oldman, worn out by the sorrows of that experience from which he offersyou counsel? What, too, is it you trust? a libertine wretch, covetingnothing but your wealth, for the gift of which he will repay you by theperversion of your principles!"
"What the d--l do you mean by that?" cried the Baronet.
"To shew," answered he, austerely, "the inconsistency of false delicacy;to show how those who are too timid for truth, can fearless meetlicentiousness."
"For Heaven's sake, Sir," cried Cecilia, "say no more to me now: callupon me in Portman-square when you please,--reprove me in whateveryou think me blameable, I shall be grateful for your instructions, andbettered, perhaps, by your care;--but lessons and notice thus public cando me nothing but injury."
"How happy," cried he, "were no other injury near thee! spotless werethen the hour of thy danger, bright, fair and refulgent thy passageto security! the Good would receive thee with praise, the Guilty wouldsupplicate thy prayers, the Poor would follow thee with blessings, andChildren would be taught by thy example!"
He then quitted her, every body making way as he moved, and proceededinto the great room. Mrs Harrel's carriage being announced at the sametime, Cecilia lost not an instant in hastening away.
Sir Robert, as he conducted her, disdainfully laughed at the adventure,which the general licence allowed to Mr Albany prevented his resenting,and which therefore he scorned to appear moved at.
Mrs. Harrel could talk of nothing else, neither was Cecilia disposedto change the subject, for the remains of insanity which seemed to hangupon him were affecting without being alarming, and her desire to knowmore of him grew every instant stronger.
This desire, however, outlived not the conversation to which it gaverise; when she returned to her own room, no vestige of it remained uponher mind, which a nearer concern and deeper interest wholly occupied.
The behaviour of young Delvile had pained, pleased, and disturbedher; his activity to save her from mischief might proceed merely fromgallantry or good nature; upon that, therefore, she dwelt little: buthis eagerness, his anxiety, his insensibility to himself, were morethan good breeding could claim, and seemed to spring from a motive lessartificial.
She now, therefore, believed that her partiality was returned; andthis belief had power to shake all her resolves, and enfeeble all herobjections. The arrogance of Mr Delvile lessened in her reflections, theadmonitions of Mr Monckton abated in their influence. With the first sheconsidered that though connected she need not live, and for the second,though she acknowledged the excellence of his judgment, she concludedhim wholly ignorant of her sentiments of Delvile; which she imagined,when once revealed, would make every obstacle to the alliance seemtrifling, when put in competition with mutual esteem and affection.