Cecilia memoirs of an heiress vol 1

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Title:CeciliaVolume1
Author:FrancesBurney
ReleaseDate:August,2004[EBook#6346][Yes,wearemorethanoneyear
aheadofschedule][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonNovember29,2002]
Edition:10
Language:English
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CECILIA
OR
MemoirsofanHeiress
by
FRANCESBURNEY


PREFACE
“Fanny’sCeciliacameoutlastsummer,andisasmuchlikedandread,Ibelieve,
asanybookeverwas,”wroteCharlotteBurneyinJan.1783.“Shehad250
poundsforitfromPayneandCadell.Mostpeoplesaysheoughttohavehada
thousand.Itisnowgoingintothethirdedition,thoughPayneownsthatthey
printedtwothousandatthefirstedition,andLowndestoldmefivehundredwas
thecommonnumberforanovel.”[Footnote:TheEarlyDiaryofFrances
Burney,withaselectionfromhercorrespondence,andfromthejournalsofher
sistersSusanandCharlotteBurney.EditedbyAnnieRaineEllis.1889.Vol.II.
p.307.]
ThemanuscriptofCeciliawassubmittedtoDrBurneyandMrCrispduringits
composition,andtheirsuggestionswereinsomecasesadopted,aswelearnfrom
theDiary.DrJohnsonwasnotconsulted,butadesireatoncetoimitateandto
pleasehimevidentlycontrolledthework.
Underthesecircumstancesitisnaturallylessfreshandspontaneousthan
Evelina,butitismoremature.Thetouchissurerandtheplotmoreelaborate.
Wecannotto-dayfullyappreciatethe“conflictscenebetweenmotherandson,”
forwhich,MissBurneytellsus,thebookwaswritten;butthepicturesof
eighteenthcenturyaffectationsareallalive,andthestoryisthoroughly
absorbing,except,perhaps,inthelastbook.

MissBurneyoftentookthenameofhercharactersfromheracquaintances,and
itseemsprobablethatsomeofthe“types”inCeciliaarealsodrawnfromreal
life.ThetitleofMissAusten’sPrideandPrejudicewasborrowedfromCecilia,
andsomepointsofresemblancemaybetracedbetweenthetwonovels.
Thepresenteditionisreprintedfrom:—
CECILIA,or,MemoirsofanHeiress.BytheauthorofEvelina.Infivevolumes.
London:PrintedforT.PayneandSon,attheNewsgate,andT.Cadellinthe
Strand.MDCCLXXXII.R.B.J.
THERIGHTHON.EDMUNDBURKETOMISSF.BURNEY.(AFTER
READINGCECILIA.)


Madam,—IshouldfeelexceedinglytoblameifIcouldrefusetomyselfthe
naturalsatisfaction,andtoyouthejustbutpoorreturn,ofmybestthanksforthe
verygreatinstructionandentertainmentIhavereceivedfromthenewpresent
youhavebestowedonthepublic.Therearefew—IbelieveImaysayfairlythere
arenoneatall—thatwillnotfindthemselvesbetterinformedconcerninghuman
nature,andtheirstockofobservationenriched,byreadingyour“Cecilia.”They
certainlywill,lettheirexperienceinlifeandmannersbewhatitmay.The
arroganceofagemustsubmittobetaughtbyyouth.Youhavecrowdedintoa
fewsmallvolumesanincrediblevarietyofcharacters;mostofthemwell
planned,wellsupported,andwellcontrastedwitheachother.Iftherebeany
faultinthisrespect,itisoneinwhichyouareinnogreatdangerofbeing
imitated.Justlyasyourcharactersaredrawn,perhapstheyaretoonumerous.
ButIbegpardon;Ifearitisquiteinvaintopreacheconomytothosewhoare
comeyoungtoexcessiveandsuddenopulence.
ImighttrespassonyourdelicacyifIshouldfillmylettertoyouwithwhatIfill
myconversationtoothers.IshouldbetroublesometoyoualoneifIshouldtell
youallIfeelandthinkonthenaturalveinofhumour,thetenderpathetic,the
comprehensiveandnoblemoral,andthesagaciousobservation,thatappearquite

throughoutthatextraordinaryperformance.
Inanagedistinguishedbyproducingextraordinarywomen,Ihardlydaretotell
youwheremyopinionwouldplaceyouamongstthem.Irespectyourmodesty,
thatwillnotendurethecommendationswhichyourmeritforcesfrom
everybody.
Ihavethehonourtobe,withgreatgratitude,respect,andesteem,madam,your
mostobedientandmosthumbleservant,
EDM.BURKE
WHITEHALL,July19,1782.
MybestcomplimentsandcongratulationstoDrBurneyonthegreathonour
acquiredtohisfamily.
ADVERTISEMENT.
TheindulgenceshewnbythePublictoEvelina,which,unpatronized,unaided,
andunowned,pastthroughFourEditionsinoneYear,hasencourageditsAuthor


toriskthisSECONDattempt.Theanimationofsuccessistoouniversally
acknowledged,tomakethewriterofthefollowingsheetsdreadmuchcensureof
temerity;thoughtheprecariousnessofanypowertogivepleasure,suppressesall
vanityofconfidence,andsendsCECILIAintotheworldwithscarcemorehope,
thoughfarmoreencouragement,thanattendedherhighly-honouredpredecessor,
Evelina.
July,1782


CHAPTERi
AJOURNEY.

“Peacetothespiritsofmyhonouredparents,respectedbetheirremains,and
immortalizedtheirvirtues!maytime,whileitmoulderstheirfrailrelickstodust,

committotraditiontherecordoftheirgoodness;andOh,maytheirorphandescendantbeinfluencedthroughlifebytheremembranceoftheirpurity,andbe
solacedindeath,thatbyheritwasunsullied!”
SuchwasthesecretprayerwithwhichtheonlysurvivoroftheBeverleyfamily
quittedtheabodeofheryouth,andresidenceofherforefathers;whiletearsof
recollectingsorrowfilledhereyes,andobstructedthelastviewofhernative
townwhichhadexcitedthem.
Cecilia,thisfairtraveller,hadlatelyenteredintotheone-and-twentiethyearof
herage.HerancestorshadbeenrichfarmersinthecountyofSuffolk,thoughher
father,inwhomaspiritofelegancehadsupplantedtherapacityofwealth,had
spenthistimeasaprivatecountrygentleman,satisfied,withoutincreasinghis
store,toliveuponwhatheinheritedfromthelaboursofhispredecessors.She
hadlosthiminherearlyyouth,andhermotherhadnotlongsurvivedhim.They
hadbequeathedtoher10,000pounds,andconsignedhertothecareoftheDean
of––,heruncle.Withthisgentleman,inwhom,byvariouscontingencies,the
accumulatedpossessionsofarisingandprosperousfamilywerecentred,shehad
passedthelastfouryearsofherlife;andafewweeksonlyhadyetelapsedsince
hisdeath,which,bydeprivingherofherlastrelation,madeherheiresstoan
estateof3000poundsperannum;withnootherrestrictionthanthatofannexing
hername,ifshemarried,tothedisposalofherhandandherriches.
Butthoughthuslargelyindebtedtofortune,tonatureshehadyetgreater
obligations:herformwaselegant,herheartwasliberal;hercountenance
announcedtheintelligenceofhermind,hercomplexionvariedwithevery
emotionofhersoul,andhereyes,theheraldsofherspeech,nowbeamedwith
understandingandnowglistenedwithsensibility.
Fortheshortperiodofherminority,themanagementofherfortuneandthecare


ofherperson,hadbytheDeanbeenentrustedtothreeguardians,amongwhom
herownchoicewastosettleherresidence:buthermind,saddenedbythelossof
allhernaturalfriends,covetedtoregainitsserenityinthequietnessofthe

country,andinthebosomofanagedandmaternalcounsellor,whomsheloved
ashermother,andtowhomshehadbeenknownfromherchildhood.
TheDeanery,indeed,shewasobligedtorelinquish,alongrepiningexpectant
beingeager,byenteringit,tobequeathtoanothertheanxietyandsuspensehe
hadsufferedhimself;thoughprobablywithoutmuchimpatiencetoshortentheir
durationinfavourofthenextsuccessor;butthehouseofMrsCharlton,her
benevolentfriend,wasopenforherreception,andthealleviatingtendernessof
herconversationtookfromherallwishofchangingit.
Hereshehaddweltsincetheintermentofheruncle;andhere,fromthe
affectionategratitudeofherdisposition,shehadperhapsbeencontenttodwell
tillherown,hadnotherguardiansinterferedtoremoveher.
Reluctantlyshecomplied;shequittedherearlycompanions,thefriendshemost
revered,andthespotwhichcontainedtherelicksofallshehadyetlivedto
lament;and,accompaniedbyoneofherguardians,andattendedbytwo
servants,shebeganherjourneyfromBurytoLondon.
MrHarrel,thisgentleman,thoughintheprimeofhislife,thoughgay,
fashionableandsplendid,hadbeenappointedbyheruncletobeoneofher
trustees;achoicewhichhadforobjectthepeculiargratificationofhisniece,
whosemostfavouriteyoungfriendMrHarrelhadmarried,andinwhosehouse
hethereforeknewshewouldmostwishtolive.
Whatevergood-naturecoulddictateorpolitenesssuggesttodispelher
melancholy,MrHarrelfailednottourge;andCecilia,inwhosedisposition
sweetnesswastemperedwithdignity,andgentlenesswithfortitude,sufferednot
hiskindofficestoseemineffectual;shekissedherhandatthelastglimpsea
friendlyhillaffordedofhernativetown,andmadeanefforttoforgettheregret
withwhichshelostsightofit.Sherevivedherspiritsbyplansoffuture
happiness,dweltuponthedelightwithwhichsheshouldmeetheryoungfriend,
and,byacceptinghisconsolation,amplyrewardedhistrouble.
Herserenity,however,hadyetanother,thoughmildertrialtoundergo,since
anotherfriendwasyettobemet,andanotherfarewellwasyettobetaken.

AtthedistanceofsevenmilesfromBuryresidedMrMonckton,therichestand
mostpowerfulmaninthatneighbourhood,atwhosehouseCeciliaandher
guardianwereinvitedtobreakfastintheirjourney.
MrMonckton,whowastheyoungersonofanoblefamily,wasamanofparts,
informationandsagacity;togreatnativestrengthofmindheaddedapenetrating
knowledgeoftheworld,andtofacultiesthemostskilfulofinvestigatingthe
characterofeveryother,adissimulationthemostprofoundinconcealinghis
own.Inthebloomofhisyouth,impatientforwealthandambitiousofpower,he
hadtiedhimselftoarichdowagerofquality,whoseage,thoughsixty-seven,
wasbutamongthesmallerspeciesofherevilproperties,herdispositionbeing
farmorerepulsivethanherwrinkles.Aninequalityofyearssoconsiderable,had
ledhimtoexpectthatthefortunehehadthusacquired,wouldspeedilybe
releasedfromtheburthenwithwhichitwasatpresentincumbered;buthis
expectationsprovedasvainastheyweremercenary,andhisladywasnotmore
thedupeofhisprotestationsthanhewashimselfofhisownpurposes.Tenyears
hehadbeenmarriedtoher,yetherhealthwasgood,andherfacultieswere
unimpaired;eagerlyhehadwatchedforherdissolution,yethiseagernesshad
injurednohealthbuthisown!Soshortsightedisselfishcunning,thatinaiming
nofurtherthanatthegratificationofthepresentmoment,itobscurestheevilsof
thefuture,whileitimpedestheperceptionofintegrityandhonour.
Hisardour,however,toattaintheblessedperiodofreturningliberty,deprived
himneitherofspiritnorinclinationforintermediateenjoyment;heknewthe
worldtoowelltoincuritscensurebyill-treatingthewomantowhomhewas
indebtedfortherankheheldinit;hesawher,indeed,butseldom,yethehadthe
decency,alikeinavoidingasinmeetingher,toshewnoabatementofcivility
andgoodbreeding:but,havingthussacrificedtoambitionallpossibilityof
happinessindomesticlife,heturnedhisthoughtstothoseothermethodsof
procuringit,whichhehadsodearlypurchasedthepowerofessaying.

Theresourcesofpleasuretothepossessorsofwealthareonlytobecutoffby
thesatietyofwhichtheyareproductive:asatietywhichthevigorousmindofMr
Moncktonhadnotyetsufferedhimtoexperience;histime,therefore,waseither
devotedtotheexpensiveamusementsofthemetropolis,orspentinthecountry
amongthegayestofitsdiversions.
Thelittleknowledgeoffashionablemannersandofthecharactersofthetimesof
whichCeciliawasyetmistress,shehadgatheredatthehouseofthisgentleman,


withwhomtheDeanherunclehadbeenintimatelyconnected:forashe
preservedtotheworldthesameappearanceofdecencyhesupportedtohiswife,
hewaseverywherewellreceived,andbeingbutpartiallyknown,wasextremely
respected:theworld,withitswontedfacility,repayinghiscircumspectattention
toitslaws,bysilencingthevoiceofcensure,guardinghischaracterfrom
impeachment,andhisnamefromreproach.
Ceciliahadbeenknowntohimhalfherlife;shehadbeencaressedinhishouse
asabeautifulchild,andherpresencewasnowsolicitedthereasanamiable
acquaintance.Hervisits,indeed,hadbynomeansbeenfrequent,astheillhumourofLadyMargaretMoncktonhadrenderedthempainfultoher;yetthe
opportunitiestheyhadaffordedherofmixingwithpeopleoffashion,hadserved
toprepareherforthenewscenesinwhichshewassoontobeaperformer.
MrMonckton,inreturn,hadalwaysbeenawelcomeguestattheDeanery;his
conversationwastoCeciliaanever-failingsourceofinformation,ashis
knowledgeoflifeandmannersenabledhimtostartthosesubjectsofwhichshe
wasmostignorant;andhermind,copiousfortheadmissionandintelligentfor
thearrangementofknowledge,receivedallnewideaswithavidity.
Pleasuregiveninsociety,likemoneylentinusury,returnswithinteresttothose
whodispenseit:andthediscourseofMrMoncktonconferrednotagreater
favouruponCeciliathanherattentiontoitrepaid.Andthus,thespeakerandthe
hearerbeingmutuallygratified,theyhadalwaysmetwithcomplacency,and
commonlypartedwithregret.

Thisreciprocationofpleasurehad,however,produceddifferenteffectsupon
theirminds;theideasofCeciliawereenlarged,whilethereflectionsofMr
Moncktonwereembittered.Heheresawanobjectwhotoalltheadvantagesof
thatwealthhehadsohighlyprized,addedyouth,beauty,andintelligence;
thoughmuchhersenior,hewasbynomeansofanagetorenderhisaddressing
heranimpropriety,andtheentertainmentshereceivedfromhisconversation,
persuadedhimthathergoodopinionmightwitheasebeimprovedintoaregard
themostpartial.Heregrettedthevenalrapacitywithwhichhehadsacrificed
himselftoawomanheabhorred,andhiswishesforherfinaldecaybecamedaily
morefervent.HeknewthattheacquaintanceofCeciliawasconfinedtoacircle
ofwhichhewashimselftheprincipalornament,thatshehadrejectedallthe
proposalsofmarriagewhichhadhithertobeenmadetoher,and,ashehad
sedulouslywatchedherfromherearliestyears,hehadreasontobelievethather


hearthadescapedanydangerousimpression.Thisbeinghersituation,hehad
longlookeduponherashisfutureproperty;assuchhehadindulgedhis
admiration,andassuchhehadalreadyappropriatedherestate,thoughhehad
notmorevigilantlyinspectedintohersentiments,thanhehadguardedhisown
fromasimilarscrutiny.
ThedeathoftheDeanherunclehad,indeed,muchalarmedhim;hegrievedat
herleavingSuffolk,whereheconsideredhimselfthefirstman,alikeinpartsand
inconsequence,andhedreadedherresidinginLondon,whereheforesawthat
numerousrivals,equaltohimselfintalentsandinriches,wouldspeedily
surroundher;rivals,too,youthfulandsanguine,notshackledbypresentties,but
atlibertytosolicitherimmediateacceptance.Beautyandindependence,rarely
foundtogether,wouldattractacrowdofsuitorsatoncebrilliantandassiduous;
andthehouseofMrHarrelwaseminentforitseleganceandgaiety;butyet,
undauntedbydanger,andconfidinginhisownpowers,hedeterminedtopursue
theprojecthehadformed,notfearingbyaddressandperseverancetoensureits

success.


CHAPTERii
ANARGUMENT.

MrMoncktonhad,atthistime,apartyofcompanyassembledathishousefor
thepurposeofspendingtheChristmasholidays.Hewaitedwithanxietythe
arrivalofCecilia,andflewtohandherfromthechaisebeforeMrHarrelcould
alight.Heobservedthemelancholyofhercountenance,andwasmuchpleased
tofindthatherLondonjourneyhadsolittlepowertocharmher.Heconducted
hertothebreakfastparlour,whereLadyMargaretandhisfriendsexpectedher.
LadyMargaretreceivedherwithacoldnessthatbordereduponincivility;
irasciblebynatureandjealousbysituation,theappearanceofbeautyalarmed,
andofchearfulnessdisgustedher.Sheregardedwithwatchfulsuspicion
whoeverwasaddressedbyherhusband,andhavingmarkedhisfrequent
attendanceattheDeanery,shehadsingledoutCeciliafortheobjectofher
peculiarantipathy;whileCecilia,perceivingheraversionthoughignorantofits
cause,tookcaretoavoidallintercoursewithherbutwhatceremonyexacted,
andpitiedinsecrettheunfortunatelotofherfriend.
Thecompanynowpresentconsistedofoneladyandseveralgentlemen.
MissBennet,thelady,wasineverysenseofthephrase,thehumblecompanion
ofLadyMargaret;shewaslow-born,meanlyeducated,andnarrow-minded;a
strangeraliketoinnatemeritoracquiredaccomplishments,yetskilfulintheart
offlattery,andanadeptineveryspeciesoflowcunning.Withnootherviewin
lifethantheattainmentofaffluencewithoutlabour,shewasnotmoretheslave
ofthemistressofthehouse,thanthetoolofitsmaster;receivingindignity
withoutmurmur,andsubmittingtocontemptasathingofcourse.
Amongthegentlemen,themostconspicuous,bymeansofhisdress,wasMr
Aresby,acaptaininthemilitia;ayoungmanwhohavingfrequentlyheardthe

wordsred-coatandgallantryputtogether,imaginedtheconjunctionnotmerely
customary,buthonourable,andtherefore,withoutevenpretendingtothinkof
theserviceofhiscountry,heconsideredacockadeasabadgeofpoliteness,and
woreitbuttomarkhisdevotiontotheladies,whomheheldhimselfequippedto


conquer,andboundtoadore.
Thenextwhobyforwardnessthemostofficioustookcaretobenoticed,wasMr
Morrice,ayounglawyer,who,thoughrisinginhisprofession,owedhissuccess
neithertodistinguishedabilities,nortoskill-supplyingindustry,buttotheartof
unitingsupplenesstootherswithconfidenceinhimself.Toareverenceofrank,
talents,andfortunethemostprofound,hejoinedanassuranceinhisownmerit,
whichnosuperioritycoulddepress;andwithapresumptionwhichencouraged
himtoaimatallthings,heblendedagood-humourthatnomortificationcould
lessen.Andwhilebythepliabilityofhisdispositionheavoidedmakingenemies,
byhisreadinesstooblige,helearnedthesurestwayofmakingfriendsby
becomingusefultothem.
Therewerealsosomeneighbouringsquires;andtherewasoneoldgentleman,
who,withoutseemingtonoticeanyofthecompany,satfrowninginacorner.
ButtheprincipalfigureinthecirclewasMrBelfield,atall,thinyoungman,
whosefacewasallanimation,andwhoseeyessparkledwithintelligence.Hehad
beenintendedbyhisfatherfortrade,buthisspirit,soaringabovetheoccupation
forwhichhewasdesigned,fromrepiningledhimtoresist,andfromresisting,to
rebel.Heelopedfromhisfriends,andcontrivedtoenterthearmy.But,fondof
thepolitearts,andeagerfortheacquirementofknowledge,hefoundnotthis
wayoflifemuchbetteradaptedtohisinclinationthanthatfromwhichhehad
escaped;hesoongrewwearyofit,wasreconciledtohisfather,andenteredat
theTemple.Buthere,toovolatileforseriousstudy,andtoogayforlaborious
application,hemadelittleprogress:andthesamequicknessofpartsandvigour
ofimaginationwhichunitedwithprudence,oraccompaniedbyjudgment,might

haveraisedhimtotheheadofhisprofession,beingunhappilyassociatedwith
ficklenessandcaprice,servedonlytoimpedehisimprovement,andobstructhis
preferment.Andnow,withlittlebusiness,andthatlittleneglected,asmall
fortune,andthatfortunedailybecomingless,theadmirationoftheworld,but
thatadmirationendingsimplyincivility,helivedanunsettledandunprofitable
life,generallycaressed,anduniversallysought,yetcarelessofhisinterestand
thoughtlessofthefuture;devotinghistimetocompany,hisincometo
dissipation,andhishearttotheMuses.
“Ibringyou,”saidMrMonckton,asheattendedCeciliaintotheroom,“a
subjectofsorrowinayoungladywhonevergavedisturbancetoherfriendsbut
inquittingthem.”


“Ifsorrow,”criedMrBelfield,dartinguponherhispiercingeyes,“wearsinyour
partoftheworldaformsuchasthis,whowouldwishtochangeitforaviewof
joy?”
“She’sdivinelyhandsome,indeed!”criedtheCaptain,affectinganinvoluntary
exclamation.
Meantime,Cecilia,whowasplacednexttotheladyofthehouse,quietlybegan
herbreakfast;MrMorrice,theyounglawyer,withthemosteasyfreedom,
seatinghimselfatherside,whileMrMoncktonwaselsewherearrangingtherest
ofhisguests,inordertosecurethatplaceforhimself.
MrMorrice,withoutceremony,attackedhisfairneighbour;hetalkedofher
journey,andtheprospectsofgaietywhichitopenedtoherview;butbythese
findingherunmoved,hechangedhistheme,andexpatiateduponthedelightsof
thespotshewasquitting.Studioustorecommendhimselftohernotice,and
indifferentbywhatmeans,onemomentheflippantlyextolledtheentertainments
ofthetown;andthenext,rapturouslydescribedthecharmsofthecountry.A
word,alooksufficedtomarkherapprobationordissent,whichhenosooner
discovered,thanheslidedintoheropinion,withasmuchfacilityandsatisfaction

asifithadoriginallybeenhisown.
MrMonckton,suppressinghischagrin,waitedsometimeinexpectationthat
whenthisyoungmansawhewasstanding,hewouldyieldtohimhischair:but
theremarkwasnotmade,andtheresignationwasnotthoughtof.TheCaptain,
too,regardingtheladyashisnaturalpropertyforthemorning,perceivedwith
indignationbywhomhewassupplanted;whilethecompanyingeneral,saw
withmuchsurprize,theplacetheyhadseverallyforebornetooccupyfrom
respecttotheirhost,thusfamiliarlyseizeduponbythemanwho,inthewhole
room,hadtheleastclaim,eitherfromageorrank,toconsultnothingbuthisown
inclination.
MrMonckton,however,whenhefoundthatdelicacyandgoodmannershadno
weightwithhisguest,thoughtitmostexpedienttoallowthemnonewith
himself;andtherefore,disguisinghisdispleasureunderanappearanceof
facetiousness,hecalledout,“Come,Morrice,youthatloveChristmassports,
whatsayyoutothegameofmove-all?”
“Ilikeitofallthings!”answeredMorrice,andstartingfromhischair,heskipped


toanother.
“SoshouldItoo,”criedMrMonckton,instantlytakinghisplace,“wereIto
removefromanyseatbutthis.”
Morrice,thoughhefelthimselfoutwitted,wasthefirsttolaugh,andseemedas
happyinthechangeasMrMoncktonhimself.
MrMoncktonnow,addressinghimselftoCecilia,said,“Wearegoingtolose
you,andyouseemconcernedatleavingus;yet,inaveryfewmonthsyouwill
forgetBury,forgetitsinhabitants,andforgetitsenvirons.”
“Ifyouthinkso,”answeredCecilia,“mustInotthenceinferthatBury,its
inhabitants,anditsenvirons,willinaveryfewmonthsforgetme?”
“Ay,ay,andsomuchthebetter!”saidLadyMargaret,mutteringbetweenher
teeth,“somuchthebetter!”“Iamsorryyouthinkso,madam,”criedCecilia,

colouringatherill-breeding.
“Youwillfind,”saidMrMonckton,affectingthesameignoranceofhermeaning
thatCeciliareallyfelt,“asyoumixwiththeworld,youwillfindthatLady
Margarethasbutexpressedwhatbyalmosteverybodyisthought:toneglectold
friends,andtocourtnewacquaintance,thoughperhapsnotyetavowedly
deliveredasapreceptfromparentstochildren,isneverthelesssouniversally
recommendedbyexample,thatthosewhoactdifferently,incurgeneralcensure
foraffectingsingularity.”
“Itishappythen,forme,”answeredCecilia,“thatneithermyactionsnormyself
willbesufficientlyknowntoattractpublicobservation.”
“Youintend,then,madam,”saidMrBelfield,“indefianceofthesemaximsof
theworld,tobeguidedbythelightofyourownunderstanding.”
“Andsuch,”returnedMrMonckton,“atfirstsettingoutinlife,istheintentionof
everyone.Theclosetreasonerisalwaysrefinedinhissentiments,andalways
confidentinhisvirtue;butwhenhemixeswiththeworld,whenhethinksless
andactsmore,hesoonfindsthenecessityofaccommodatinghimselftosuch
customsasarealreadyreceived,andofpursuingquietlythetrackthatisalready
markedout.”


“Butnot,”exclaimedMrBelfield,“ifhehastheleastgrainofspirit!thebeaten
trackwillbethelastthatamanofpartswilldeigntotread,
Forcommonruleswerene’erdesignedDirectorsofanoblemind.”
“Aperniciousmaxim!amostperniciousmaxim!”criedtheoldgentleman,who
satfrowninginacorneroftheroom.
“Deviationsfromcommonrules,”saidMrMonckton,withouttakinganynotice
ofthisinterruption,“whentheyproceedfromgenius,arenotmerelypardonable,
butadmirable;andyou,Belfield,haveapeculiarrighttopleadtheirmerits;but
solittlegeniusasthereisintheworld,youmustsurelygrantthatpleasofthis
sortareveryrarelytobeurged.”

“Andwhyrarely,”criedBelfield,“butbecauseyourgeneralrules,your
appropriatedcustoms,yoursettledforms,arebutsomanyabsurdarrangements
toimpedenotmerelytheprogressofgenius,buttheuseofunderstanding?If
mandaredactforhimself,ifneitherworldlyviews,contractedprejudices,
eternalprecepts,norcompulsiveexamples,swayedhisbetterreasonand
impelledhisconduct,hownobleindeedwouldhebe!howinfiniteinfaculties!in
apprehensionhowlikeaGod!”[Footnote:Hamlet.]
“Allthis,”answeredMrMonckton,“isbutthedoctrineofalivelyimagination,
thatlooksuponimpossibilitiessimplyasdifficulties,andupondifficultiesas
mereinvitationstovictory.Butexperienceteachesanotherlesson;experience
showsthattheoppositionofanindividualtoacommunityisalwaysdangerous
intheoperation,andseldomsuccessfulintheevent;—never,indeed,withouta
concurrencestrangeasdesirable,offortunatecircumstanceswithgreatabilities.”
“Andwhyisthis,”returnedBelfield,“butbecausetheattemptissoseldom
made?Thepitifulprevalenceofgeneralconformityextirpatesgenius,and
murdersoriginality;themanisbroughtup,notasifhewere‘thenoblestworkof
God,’butasamereductilemachineofhumanformation:heisearlytaughtthat
hemustneitherconsulthisunderstanding,norpursuehisinclinations,lest,
unhappilyforhiscommercewiththeworld,hisunderstandingshouldbeaverse
tofools,andprovokehimtodespisethem;andhisinclinationstothetyrannyof
perpetualrestraint,andgivehimcouragetoabjureit.”
“Iamreadyenoughtoallow,”answeredMrMonckton,“thataneccentricgenius,
such,forexample,asyours,maymurmuratthetediousnessofcomplyingwith


thecustomsoftheworld,andwish,unconfined,andatlarge,torangethrough
lifewithoutanysettledplanorprudentialrestriction;butwouldyou,therefore,
grantthesamelicencetoeveryone?wouldyouwishtoseetheworldpeopled
withdefiersoforder,andcontemnersofestablishedforms?andnotmerely
excusetheirregularitiesresultingfromuncommonparts,butencouragethose,

also,tolead,whowithoutblunderingcannotevenfollow?”
“Iwouldhaveallmen,”repliedBelfield,“whetherphilosophersorideots,actfor
themselves.Everyonewouldthenappearwhatheis;enterprizewouldbe
encouraged,andimitationabolished;geniuswouldfeelitssuperiority,andfolly
itsinsignificance;andthen,andthenonly,shouldweceasetobesurfeitedwith
thateternalsamenessofmannerandappearancewhichatpresentrunsthrough
allranksofmen.”
“Petrifyingdullworkthis,monami!”saidtheCaptain,inawhispertoMorrice,
“degrace,startsomenewgame.”
“Withallmyheart,”answeredhe;andthen,suddenlyjumpingup,exclaimed,“A
hare!ahare!”
“Where?—where?—whichway?”andallthegentlemenarose,andranto
differentwindows,exceptthemasterofthehouse,theobjectofwhosepursuit
wasalreadynearhim.
Morrice,withmuchpretendedearnestness,flewfromwindowtowindow,to
tracefootstepsupontheturfwhichheknewhadnotprintedit:yet,never
inattentivetohisowninterest,whenheperceivedinthemidstofthecombustion
hehadraised,thatLadyMargaretwasincensedatthenoiseitproduced,he
artfullygaveoverhissearch,andseatinghimselfinachairnexttoher,eagerly
offeredtoassistherwithcakes,chocolate,orwhateverthetableafforded.
Hehad,however,effectuallybrokenuptheconversation;andbreakfastbeing
over,MrHarrelorderedhischaise,andCeciliaarosetotakeleave.
AndnownotwithoutsomedifficultycouldMrMoncktondisguisetheuneasy
fearswhichherdepartureoccasionedhim.Takingherhand,“Isuppose,”hesaid,
“youwillnotpermitanoldfriendtovisityouintown,lestthesightofhim
shouldproveadisagreeablememorialofthetimeyouwillsoonregrethaving
wastedinthecountry?”


“Whywillyousaythis,MrMonckton?”criedCecilia;“Iamsureyoucannot

thinkit.”
“Theseprofoundstudiersofmankind,madam,”saidBelfield,“aremightysorry
championsforconstancyorfriendship.Theywagewarwithallexpectationsbut
ofdepravity,andgrantnoquartereventothepurestdesigns,wheretheythink
therewillbeanytemptationtodeviatefromthem.”
“Temptation,”saidMrMonckton,“isveryeasyofresistanceintheory;butif
youreflectuponthegreatchangeofsituationMissBeverleywillexperience,
uponthenewscenesshewillsee,thenewacquaintanceshemustmake,andthe
newconnectionsshemayform,youwillnotwonderattheanxietyofafriendfor
herwelfare.”
“ButIpresume,”criedBelfield,withalaugh,“MissBeverleydoesnotmeanto
conveyherpersontotown,andleaveherunderstandinglockedup,withother
naturalcuriosities,inthecountry?Why,therefore,maynotthesame
discernmentregulateheradoptionofnewacquaintance,andchoiceofnew
connections,thatguidedherselectionofoldones?Doyousupposethatbecause
sheistotakeleaveofyou,sheistotakeleaveofherself?”
“Wherefortunesmilesuponyouthandbeauty,”answeredMrMonckton,“do
youthinkitnothingthattheirfairpossessorshouldmakeasuddentransitionof
situationfromthequietnessofaretiredlifeinthecountry,tothegaietyofa
splendidtownresidence?”
“Wherefortunefrownsuponyouthandbeauty,”returnedBelfield,“theymaynot
irrationallyexcitecommiseration;butwherenatureandchanceunitetheirforces
toblessthesameobject,whatroomtheremaybeforalarmorlamentationI
confessIcannotdivine.”
“What!”criedMrMonckton,withsomeemotion,“aretherenotsharpers,
fortune-hunters,sycophants,wretchesofallsortsanddenominations,whowatch
theapproachoftherichandunwary,feedupontheirinexperience,andpreyupon
theirproperty?”
“Come,come,”criedMrHarrel,“itistimeIshouldhastenmyfairwardaway,if
thisisyourmethodofdescribingtheplacesheisgoingtolivein.”

“Isitpossible,”criedtheCaptain,advancingtoCecilia,“thatthisladyhasnever


yettriedthetown?”andthen,loweringhisvoice,andsmilinglanguishinglyin
herface,headded,“Cananythingsodivinelyhandsomehavebeenimmuredin
thecountry?Ah!quellehonte!doyoumakeitaprincipletobesocruel?”
Cecilia,thinkingsuchacomplimentmeritednotanyothernoticethanaslight
bow,turnedtoLadyMargaret,andsaid,“Shouldyourladyshipbeintownthis
winter,mayIexpectthehonourofhearingwhereImaywaituponyou?”
“Idon’tknowwhetherIshallgoornot,”answeredtheoldlady,withherusual
ungraciousness.
Ceciliawouldnowhavehastenedaway,butMrMonckton,stoppingher,again
expressedhisfearsoftheconsequencesofherjourney;“Beuponyourguard,”
hecried,“withallnewacquaintance;judgenobodyfromappearances;formno
friendshiprashly;taketimetolookaboutyou,andrememberyoucanmakeno
alterationinyourwayoflife,withoutgreaterprobabilityoffaringworse,than
chanceoffaringbetter.Keepthereforeasyouare,andthemoreyouseeof
others,themoreyouwillrejoicethatyouneitherresemblenorareconnected
withthem.”
“Thisfromyou,MrMonckton!”criedBelfield,“whatisbecomeofyour
conformitysystem?Ithoughtalltheworldwastobealike,oronlysomuchthe
worseforanyvariation?”
“Ispoke,”saidMrMonckton,“oftheworldingeneral,notofthisladyin
particular;andwhothatknows,whothatseesher,wouldnotwishitwere
possibleshemightcontinueineveryrespectexactlyandunalterablywhatsheis
atpresent?”
“Ifind,”saidCecilia,“youaredeterminedthatflatteryatleast,shouldImeet
withit,shallowenoperniciouseffectstoitsnovelty.”
“Well,MissBeverley,”criedMrHarrel,“willyounowventuretoaccompany
metotown?OrhasMrMoncktonfrightenedyoufromproceedinganyfarther?”

“If,”repliedCecilia,“Ifeltnomoresorrowinquittingmyfriends,thanIfeel
terrorinventuringtoLondon,withhowlightaheartshouldImakethejourney!”
“Brava!”criedBelfield,“IamhappytofindthediscourseofMrMoncktonhas
notintimidatedyou,norprevaileduponyoutodeploreyourconditioninhaving


theaccumulatedmiseryofbeingyoung,fairandaffluent.”
“Alas!poorthing!”exclaimedtheoldgentlemanwhosatinthecorner,fixinghis
eyesuponCeciliawithanexpressionofmingledgriefandpity.
Ceciliastarted,butnooneelsepaidhimanyattention.
Theusualceremoniesofleave-takingnowfollowed,andtheCaptain,withmost
obsequiousreverence,advancedtoconductCeciliatothecarriage;butinthe
midstofthedumbeloquenceofhisbowsandsmiles,MrMorrice,affectingnot
toperceivehisdesign,skippedgailybetweenthem,and,withoutanyprevious
formality,seizedthehandofCeciliahimself;failingnot,however,totemperthe
freedomofhisactionbyalookofrespectthemostprofound.
TheCaptainshruggedandretired.ButMrMonckton,enragedathisassurance,
anddetermineditshouldnothingavailhim,exclaimed,“Whyhownow,
Morrice,doyoutakeawaytheprivilegeofmyhouse?”
“True,true;”answeredMorrice,“youmembersofparliamenthaveanundoubted
righttobetenaciousofyourprivileges.”Then,bowingwithalookofveneration
toCecilia,heresignedherhandwithanairofasmuchhappinessashehadtaken
it.
MrMonckton,inleadinghertothechaise,againbeggedpermissiontowait
uponherintown:MrHarreltookthehint,andentreatedhimtoconsiderhis
houseashisown;andCecilia,gratefullythankinghimforhissolicitudeinher
welfare,added,“AndIhope,sir,youwillhonourmewithyourcounseland
admonitionswithrespecttomyfutureconduct,wheneveryouhavethegoodness
toletmeseeyou.”
Thiswaspreciselyhiswish.Hebegged,inreturn,thatshewouldtreathimwith

confidence,andthensufferedthechaisetodriveoff.


CHAPTERiii
ANARRIVAL.

Assoonastheylostsightofthehouse,Ceciliaexpressedhersurpriseatthe
behaviouroftheoldgentlemanwhosatinthecorner,whosegeneralsilence,
seclusionfromthecompany,andabsenceofmind,hadstronglyexcitedher
curiosity.
MrHarrelcouldgiveherverylittlesatisfaction:hetoldherthathehadtwiceor
thricemethiminpublicplaces,whereeverybodyremarkedthesingularityofhis
mannersandappearance,butthathehadneverdiscoursedwithanyonetowhom
heseemedknown;andthathewasasmuchsurprisedasherselfinseeingso
strangeacharacteratthehouseofMrMonckton.
Theconversationthenturneduponthefamilytheyhadjustquitted,andCecilia
warmlydeclaredthegoodopinionshehadofMrMonckton,theobligationsshe
owedtohimfortheinterestwhich,fromherchildhood,hehadalwaystakenin
heraffairs;andherhopesofreapingmuchinstructionfromthefriendshipofa
manwhohadsoextensiveaknowledgeoftheworld.
MrHarrelprofessedhimselfwellsatisfiedthatsheshouldhavesucha
counsellor;forthoughbutlittleacquaintedwithhim,heknewhewasamanof
fortuneandfashion,andwellesteemedintheworld.Theymutually
compassionatedhisunhappysituationindomesticlife,andCeciliainnocently
expressedherconcernatthedislikeLadyMargaretseemedtohavetakentoher;
adislikewhichMrHarrelnaturallyenoughimputedtoheryouthandbeauty,yet
withoutsuspectinganycausemorecogentthanageneraljealousyofattractions
ofwhichshehadherselfsolongoutlivedthepossession.
Astheirjourneydrewneartoitsconclusion,alltheuneasyanddisagreeable
sensationswhichinthebosomofCeciliahadaccompanieditscommencement,

gavewaytotheexpectationofquickapproachinghappinessinagainmeeting
herfavouriteyoungfriend.
MrsHarrelhadinchildhoodbeenherplaymate,andinyouthherschool-fellow;


asimilarityofdispositionwithrespecttosweetnessoftemper,hadearly
renderedthemdeartoeachother,thoughtheresemblanceextendednofarther,
MrsHarrelhavingnopretensionstothewitorunderstandingofherfriend;but
shewasamiableandobliging,andthereforesufficientlydeservingaffection,
thoughneitherblazingwithattractionswhichlaidclaimtoadmiration,nor
endowedwiththosesuperiorqualitieswhichminglerespectinthelovethey
inspire.
Fromthetimeofhermarriage,whichwasnearthreeyears,shehadentirely
quittedSuffolk,andhadhadnointercoursewithCeciliabutbyletter.Shewas
nowjustreturnedfromVioletBank,thenamegivenbyMrHarreltoavilla
abouttwelvemilesfromLondon,wherewithalargepartyofcompanyshehad
spenttheChristmasholidays.
Theirmeetingwastenderandaffectionate;thesensibilityofCecilia’sheart
flowedfromhereyes,andthegladnessofMrsHarrel’sdimpledhercheeks.
Assoonastheirmutualsalutations,expressionsofkindness,andgeneral
inquirieshadbeenmade,MrsHarrelbeggedtoleadhertothedrawing-room,
“where,”sheadded,“youwillseesomeofmyfriends,whoareimpatienttobe
presentedtoyou.”
“Icouldhavewished,”saidCecilia,“aftersolonganabsence,tohavepassed
thisfirsteveningalonewithyou.”
“Theyareallpeoplewhoparticularlydesiredtoseeyou,”sheanswered,“andI
hadthembywayofentertainingyou,asIwasafraidyouwouldbeoutofspirits
atleavingBury.”
Cecilia,findingthekindnessofherintentions,forboreanyfurtherexpostulation,
andquietlyfollowedhertothedrawing-room.Butasthedoorwasopened,she

wasstruckwithamazementuponfindingthattheapartment,whichwas
spacious,lightedwithbrilliancy,anddecoratedwithmagnificence,wasmore
thanhalffilledwithcompany,everyoneofwhichwasdressedwithgaietyand
profusion.
Cecilia,whofromthewordfriends,expectedtohaveseenasmallandprivate
party,selectedforthepurposeofsocialconverse,startedinvoluntarilyatthe
sightbeforeher,andhadhardlycouragetoproceed.


MrsHarrel,however,tookherhandandintroducedhertothewholecompany,
whowereallseverallynamedtoher;aceremonialwhichthoughnotmerely
agreeablebutevennecessarytothosewholiveinthegayworld,inorderto
obviatedistressingmistakes,orunfortunateimplicationsindiscourse,wouldby
Ceciliahavebeenwillinglydispensedwith,sincetohertheirnameswereasnew
astheirpersons,andsinceknowingnothingoftheirhistories,partiesor
connections,shecouldtonothingallude:itthereforeservedbuttoheightenher
colourandincreaseherembarrassment.
Anativedignityofmind,however,whichhadearlytaughthertodistinguish
modestyfrombashfulness,enabledherinashorttimetoconquerhersurprise,
andrecoverhercomposure.SheentreatedMrsHarreltoapologiseforher
appearance,andbeingseatedbetweentwoyoungladies,endeavouredtoseem
reconciledtoitherself.
Norwasthisverydifficult;forwhileherdress,whichshehadnotchangedsince
herjourney,joinedtothenoveltyofherface,attractedgeneralobservation,the
reportofherfortune,whichhadprecededherentrance,securedtohergeneral
respect.Shesoonfound,too,thatacompanywasnotnecessarilyformidable
becausefulldressed,thatfamiliaritycouldbeunitedwithmagnificence,andthat
thoughtoher,everyoneseemedattiredtowalkinaprocession,ortogracea
drawing-room,noformalitywasassumed,andnosolemnitywasaffected:every
onewaswithoutrestraint,evenrankobtainedbutlittledistinction;easewasthe

generalplan,andentertainmentthegeneralpursuit.
Cecilia,thoughnewtoLondon,whichcitytheill-healthofherunclehad
hithertopreventedherseeing,wasyetnostrangertocompany;shehadpassed
hertimeinretirement,butnotinobscurity,sinceforsomeyearspastshehad
presidedatthetableoftheDean,whowasvisitedbythefirstpeopleofthe
countyinwhichhelived:andnotwithstandinghisparties,whichwerefrequent
thoughsmall,andelegantthoughprivate,hadnotpreparedherforthesplendour
orthediversityofaLondonassembly,theyyet,byinitiatingherinthepractical
rulesofgoodbreeding,hadtaughthertosubduethetimidfearsoftotal
inexperience,andtorepressthebashfulfeelingsofshamefacedawkwardness;
fearsandfeelingswhichrathercallforcompassionthanadmiration,andwhich,
exceptinextremeyouth,servebuttodegradethemodestytheyindicate.
Sheregarded,therefore,thetwoyoungladiesbetweenwhomshewasseated,
ratherwithawishofaddressing,thanashynessofbeingattackedbythem;but


theelder,MissLarolles,wasearnestlyengagedindiscoursewithagentleman,
andtheyounger,MissLeeson,totallydiscouragedher,bytheinvariablesilence
andgravitywithwhichfromtimetotimeshemethereyes.
Uninterrupted,therefore,exceptbyoccasionalspeechesfromMrandMrs
Harrel,shespentthefirstpartoftheeveningmerelyinsurveyingthecompany.
Norwasthecompanydilatoryinreturninghernotice,sincefromthetimeofher
entranceintotheroom,shehadbeentheobjectofgeneralregard.
Theladiestookanexactinventoryofherdress,andinternallysettledhow
differentlytheywouldhavebeenattiredifblessedwithequalaffluence.
Themendisputedamongthemselveswhetherornotshewaspainted;andoneof
themassertingboldlythatsherougedwell,adebateensued,whichendedina
bet,andthedecisionwasmutuallyagreedtodependuponthecolourofher
cheeksbythebeginningofApril,when,ifunfadedbybadhoursandcontinual
dissipation,theyworethesamebrightbloomwithwhichtheywerenow

glowing,herchampionacknowledgedthathiswagerwouldbelost.
InabouthalfanhourthegentlemanwithwhomMissLarolleshadbeentalking,
lefttheroom,andthenthatyounglady,turningsuddenlytoCecilia,exclaimed,
“HowoddMrMeadowsis!Doyouknow,hesaysheshan’tbewellenoughto
gotoLadyNyland’sassembly!Howridiculous!asifthatcouldhurthim.”
Cecilia,surprisedatanattacksolittleceremonious,lentheracivil,butsilent
attention.
“Youshallbethere,shan’tyou?”sheadded.
“No,ma’am,Ihavenotthehonourofbeingatallknowntoherladyship.”
“Oh,there’snothinginthat,”returnedshe,“forMrsHarrelcanacquaintheryou
arehere,andthen,youknow,she’llsendyouaticket,andthenyoucango.”
“Aticket?”repeatedCecilia,“doesLadyNylandonlyadmithercompanywith
tickets?”
“Oh,lord!”criedMissLarolles,laughingimmoderately,“don’tyouknowwhatI
mean?Why,aticketisonlyavisitingcard,withanameuponit;butweallcall


themticketsnow.”
Ceciliathankedherfortheinformation,andthenMissLarollesenquiredhow
manymilesshehadtravelledsincemorning?
“Seventy-three,”answeredCecilia,“whichIhopewillpleadmyapologyfor
beingsolittledressed.”
“Oh,you’revastlywell,”returnedtheother,“andformypart,Ineverthink
aboutdress.Butonlyconceivewhathappenedtomelastyear!DoyouknowI
cametotownthetwentiethofMarch!wasnotthathorridprovoking?”
“Perhapsso,”saidCecilia,“butIamsureIcannottellwhy.”
“Nottellwhy?”repeatedMissLarolles,“why,don’tyouknowitwasthevery
nightofthegrandprivatemasqueradeatLordDarien’s?Iwouldnothavemissed
itforthewholeuniverse.Inevertravelledinsuchanagonyinmylife:wedid
notgettotowntillmonstrouslate,andthendoyouknowIhadneitheraticket

norahabit!Onlyconceivewhatadistress!well,IsenttoeverycreatureIknew
foraticket,buttheyallsaidtherewasnotonetobehad;soIwasjustlikeamad
creature—butabouttenoreleveno’clock,ayoungladyofmyparticular
acquaintance,bythegreatestgoodluckintheworldhappenedtobetaken
suddenlyill;soshesentmeherticket,—wasnotthatdelightful?”
“Forher,extremely!”saidCecilia,laughing.
“Well,”shecontinued,“thenIwasalmostoutofmywitswithjoy;andIwent
about,andgotoneofthesweetestdressesyoueversaw.Ifyou’llcalluponme
somemorning,I’llshewityou.”
Cecilia,notpreparedforaninvitationsoabrupt,bowedwithoutspeaking,and
MissLarolles,toohappyintalkingherselftobeoffendedatthesilenceof
another,continuedhernarration.
“Well,butnowcomesthevilestpartofthebusiness;doyouknow,when
everythingelsewasready,Icouldnotgetmyhair-dresser!Isentalloverthe
town,—hewasnowheretobefound;IthoughtIshouldhavediedwithvexation;
IassureyouIcriedsothatifIhadnotgoneinamask,Ishouldhavebeen
ashamedtobeseen.Andso,afterallthismonstrousfatigue,Iwasforcedtohave
myhairdressedbymyownmaid,quiteinacommonway;wasnotitcruelly