Mean time young Delvile failed not to honour Cecilia's introduction
of him to Mr Harrel, by waiting upon that gentleman as soon as the
ill effects of his accident at the Pantheon permitted him to leave
his own house. Mr Harrel, though just going out when he called, was
desirous of being upon good terms with his family, and therefore
took him up stairs to present him to his lady, and invited him to
tea and cards the next evening.
Cecilia, who was with Mrs Harrel, did not see him without emotion; which was not much lessened by the task of thanking him for his assistance at the Pantheon, and enquiring how he had himself fared. No sign, however, of emotion appeared in return, either when he first addressed, or afterwards answered her: the look of solicitude with which she had been so much struck when they last parted was no longer discernible, and the voice of sensibility which had removed all her doubts, was no longer to be heard. His general ease, and natural gaiety were again unruffled, and though he had never seemed really indifferent to her, there was not the least appearance of any added partiality.
Cecilia felt an involuntary mortification as she observed this
change: yet, upon reflection, she still attributed his whole
behaviour to his mistake with respect to her situation, and
therefore was but the more gratified by the preference he
occasionally betrayed.
The invitation for the next evening was accepted, and Cecilia, for
once, felt no repugnance to joining the company. Young Delvile again
was in excellent spirits; but though his chief pleasure was
evidently derived from conversing with her, she had the vexation to
observe that he seemed to think her the undoubted property of the
Baronet, always retreating when he approached, and as careful, when
next her, to yield his place if he advanced, as, when he was
distant, to guard it from all others.
But when Sir Robert was employed at cards, all scruples ceasing, he
neglected not to engross her almost wholly. He was eager to speak to
her of the affairs of Mr Belfield, which he told her wore now a
better aspect. The letter, indeed, of recommendation which he had
shewn to her, had failed, as the nobleman to whom it was written had
already entered into an engagement for his son; but he had made
application elsewhere which he believed would be successful, and he
had communicated his proceedings to Mr Belfield, whose spirits he
hoped would recover by this prospect of employment and advantage. "It is, however, but too true," he added, "that I have rather obtained his consent to the steps I am taking, than his approbation of them: nor do I believe, had I previously consulted him, I should have had even that. Disappointed in his higher views, his spirit is broken, and he is heartless and hopeless, scarce condescending to accept relief, from the bitter remembrance that he expected preferment. Time, however, will blunt this acute sensibility, and reflection will make him blush at this unreasonable delicacy. But we must patiently soothe him till he is more himself, or while we mean to serve, we shall only torment him. Sickness, sorrow, and poverty have all fallen heavily upon him, and they have all fallen at once: we must not, therefore, wonder to find him intractable, when his mind is as much depressed, as his body is enervated."
Cecilia, to whom his candour and generosity always gave fresh
delight, strengthened his opinions by her concurrence, and confirmed
his designs by the interest which she took in them.