She then arose, but her knees trembled, and her head was giddy, and again seating herself, she forced a faint smile, and said, Perhaps I had better keep quiet.
Can I bear this! cried Delvile, no, it shakes all my resolution!loveliest and most beloved Cecilia! forgive my rash declaration, which I hear retract and forswear, and which no false pride, no worthless vanity shall again surprise from me!raise, then, your eyes
Hot-headed young man! interrupted Mrs Delvile, with an air of haughty displeasure, if you cannot be rational, at least be silent. Miss Beverley, we will both leave him.
Shame, and her own earnestness, how restored some strength to Cecilia, who read with terror in the looks of Mrs Delvile the passions with which she was agitated, and instantly obeyed her by rising; but her son, who inherited a portion of her own spirit, rushed between them both and the door, and exclaimed, Stay, madam, stay! I cannot let you go: I see your intention, I see your dreadful purpose; you will work upon the feelings of Miss Beverley, you will extort from her a promise to see me no more!
Oppose not my passing! cried Mrs Delvile, whose voice, face and manner spoke the encreasing disturbance of her soul; I have but too long talked to you in vain; I must now take some better method for the security of the honour of my family.
This moment appeared to Delvile decisive; and casting off in desperation all timidity and restraint, he suddenly sprang forward, and snatching the hand of Cecilia from his mother, he exclaimed, I cannot, I will not give her up!nor now, madam, nor ever!I protest it most solemnly! I affirm it by my best hopes! I swear it by all that I hold sacred!
Grief and horror next to frenzy at a disappointment thus unexpected, and thus peremptory, rose in the face of Mrs Delvile, who, striking her hand upon her forehead, cried, My brain is on fire! and rushed out of the room.
Cecilia had now no difficulty to disengage herself from Delvile, who, shocked at the exclamation, and confounded by the sudden departure of his mother, hastened eagerly to pursue her: she had only flown into the next parlour; but, upon following her thither, what was his dread and his alarm, when he saw her extended, upon the floor, her face, hands and neck all covered with blood! Great Heaven! he exclaimed, prostrating himself by her side, what is it you have done!where are you wounded?what direful curse have you denounced against your son?
Not able to speak, she angrily shook her head, and indignantly made a motion with her hand, that commanded him from her sight.
Cecilia, who had followed, though half dead with terror, had yet the presence of mind to ring the bell. A servant came immediately; and Delvile, starting up from his mother, ordered him to fetch the first surgeon or physician he could find.
The alarm now brought the rest of the servants into the room, and Mrs Delvile suffered herself to be raised from the ground, and seated in a chair; she was still silent, but shewed a disgust to any assistance from her son, that made him deliver her into the hands of the servants, while, in speechless agony, he only looked on and watched her.
Neither did Cecilia, though forgetting her own sorrow, and no longer sensible of personal weakness, venture to approach her: uncertain what had happened, she yet considered herself as the ultimate cause of this dreadful scene, and feared to risk the effect of the smallest additional emotion.
The servant returned with a surgeon in a few minutes: Cecilia, unable to wait and hear what he would say, glided hastily out of the room; and Delvile, in still greater agitation, followed her quick into the next parlour; but having eagerly advanced to speak to her, he turned precipitately about, and hurrying into the hall, walked in hasty steps up and down it, without courage to enquire what was passing.
At length the surgeon came out: Delvile flew to him, and stopt him, but could ask no question. His countenance, however, rendered words unnecessary; the surgeon understood him, and said, The lady will do very well; she has burst a blood vessel, but I think it will be of no consequence. She must be kept quiet and easy, and upon no account suffered to talk, or to use any exertion.
Delvile now let him go, and flew himself into a corner to return thanks to heaven that the evil, however great, was less than he had at first apprehended. He then went into the parlour to Cecilia, eagerly calling out, Heaven be praised, my mother has not voluntarily cursed me!
O now then, cried Cecilia, once more make her bless you! the violence of her agitation has already almost destroyed her, and her frame is too weak for this struggle of contending passions;go to her, then, and calm the tumult of her spirits, by acquiescing wholly in her will, and being to her again the son she thinks she has lost!
Alas! said he, in a tone of the deepest dejection; I have been preparing myself for that purpose, and waited but your commands to finally determine me.
Let us both go to her instantly, said Cecilia; the least delay may be fatal.
She now led the way, and approaching Mrs Delvile, who, faint and weak, was seated upon an arm chair, and resting her head upon the shoulder of a maid servant, said, Lean, dearest madam, upon me, and speak not, but hear us!
She then took the place of the maid, and desired her and the other servants to go out of the room. Delvile advanced, but his mothers eye, recovering, at his sight, its wonted fire, darted upon him a glance of such displeasure, that, shuddering with the apprehension of inflaming again those passions which threatened her destruction, he hastily sank on one knee, and abruptly exclaimed, Look at me with less abhorrence, for I come but to resign myself to your will.
Mine, also, cried Cecilia, that will shall be; you need not speak it, we know it, and here solemnly we promise that we will separate for ever.
Revive, then, my mother, said Delvile, rely upon our plighted honours, and think only of your health, for your son will never more offend you.
Mrs Delvile, much surprised, and strongly affected, held out her hand to him, with a look of mingled compassion and obligation, and dropping her head upon the bosom of Cecilia, who with her other arm she pressed towards her, she burst into an agony of tears.
Go, go, Sir! said Cecilia, cruelly alarmed, you have said all that is necessary; leave Mrs Delvile now, and she will be more composed.
Delvile instantly obeyed, and then his mother, whose mouth still continued to fill with blood, though it gushed not from her with the violence it had begun, was prevailed upon by the prayers of Cecilia to consent to be conveyed into her room; and, as her immediate removal to another house might be dangerous, she complied also, though very reluctantly, with her urgent entreaties, that she would take entire possession of it till the next day.
This point gained, Cecilia left her, to communicate what had passed to Mrs Charlton; but was told by one of the servants that Mr Delvile begged first to speak with her in the next room.
She hesitated for a moment whether to grant this request; but recollecting it was right to acquaint him with his mothers intention of staying all night, she went to him.
How indulgent you are, cried he, in a melancholy voice, as she opened the door; I am now going post to Dr Lyster, whom I shall entreat to come hither instantly; but I am fearful of again disturbing my mother, and must therefore rely upon you to acquaint her what is become of me.
Most certainly; I have begged her to remain here to-night, and I hope I shall prevail with her to continue with me till Dr Lysters arrival; after which she will, doubtless, be guided either in staying longer, or removing elsewhere, by his advice.