Cecilia was informed the next morning that a young woman begged to
speak with her, and upon sending for her up stairs, she saw, to her
great surprise, Miss Belfield.
She came in fear and trembling, sent, she said, by her mother, to
entreat her pardon for what had passed the preceding day; "But I know, madam," she added, "you cannot pardon it, and therefore all that I mean to do is to clear my brother from any share in what was said, for indeed he has too much sense to harbour any such presumption; and to thank you with a most grateful heart for all the goodness you have shewn us."
And then, modestly courtsying, she would have returned home; but
Cecilia, much touched by her gentleness, took her hand, and kindly
reviving her by assurances of esteem, entreated that she would
lengthen her stay.
"How good is this, madam," said she, "after having so much reason to
think so ill of me and of all of us I tried all in my power to
undeceive my mother, or at least to keep her quiet; but she was so
much persuaded she was right, that she never would listen to me, and
always said, did I suppose it was for me you condescended to
come so often?"
"Yes," answered Cecilia, "most undoubtedly; had I not known you, however well I might have wished your brother, I should certainly not have visited at his house. But I am very happy to hear the mistake had spread no further."
"No indeed, madam, I never once thought of it; and as to my brother, when my mother only hinted it to him, he was quite angry. But though I don't mean to vindicate what has happened, you will not, I hope, be displeased if I say my mother is much more pardonable than she seems to be, for the same mistake she made with you, she would have been as apt to have made with a princess; it was not, therefore, from any want of respect, but merely from thinking my brother might marry as high as he pleased, and believing no lady would refuse him, if he would but have the courage to speak."
Cecilia assured her she would think no more of the error, but told her
that to avoid its renewal, she must decline calling upon her again
till her brother was gone. She begged therefore to see her in Portman-square whenever she had leisure, repeatedly assuring her of her good opinion and regard, and of the pleasure with which she should seize every opportunity of skewing them.
Delighted by a reception so kind, Miss Belfield remained with her all
the morning; and when at last she was obliged to leave her, she was
but too happy in being solicited to repeat her visit.
She suffered one day only to elapse before she skewed her readiness to
accept the friendship that was offered her; and Cecilia, much pleased
by this eagerness, redoubled her efforts to oblige and to serve her.
From this time, hardly a day passed in which she did not call in
Postman-square, where nothing in her reception was omitted that could
contribute to her contentment. Cecilia was glad to employ her mind in
any way that related not to Delvile, whom she now earnestly
endeavoured to think of no more, denying herself even the pleasure of
talking of him with Miss Belfield, by the name of her brother's
noble friend.
During this time she devised various methods, all too delicate to give
even the shadow of offence, for making both useful and ornamental
presents to her new favourite, with whom she grew daily more
satisfied, and to whom she purposed hereafter offering a residence in
her own house.
The trial of intimacy, so difficult to the ablest to stand, and from
which even the most' faultless are so rarely acquitted, Miss Belfield
sustained with honour. Cecilia found her artless, ingenuous, and
affectionate; her understanding was good, though no pains had been
taken to improve it; her disposition though ardent was soft, and her
mind seemed informed by intuitive integrity.