displeasure; "young Mr Delvile is not to be disposed of with so little
ceremony; he knows better what is due to his family."

Cecilia here blushed from indignation, and Henrietta sighed from
despondency.

"Lord, Sir," answered Mrs Belfield, "what should his family do better?
I never heard they were any so rich, and I dare say the old gentleman,
being her guardian, took care to put his son enough in her way, however
it came about that they did not make a match of it: for as to old Mr
Delvile, all the world says---"

"All the world takes a very great liberty," angrily interrupted Mr
Delvile, "in saying any thing about him: and you will excuse my
informing you that a person of his rank and consideration, is not
lightly to be mentioned upon every little occasion that occurs."

"Lord, Sir," cried Mrs Belfield, somewhat surprised at this unexpected
prohibition, "I don't care for my part if I never mention the old
gentleman's name again! I never heard any good of him in my life, for
they say he's as proud as Lucifer, and nobody knows what it's of, for
they say--"

"_They_ say?" cried he, firing with rage, "and who are _they_? be so
good as inform me that?"

"Lord, every body, Sir! it's his common character."

"Then every body is extremely indecent," speaking very loud, "to pay no
more respect to one of the first families in England. It is a